When we lived in France we took great delight in having pots of colourful geraniums scattered around the courtyard, it was a very French thing to do. Every spring we would visit the local nursery and stock up on plants.
The previous owners of our Lincolnshire bungalow were clearly fans of hanging baskets and numerous rusty old brackets were fixed to the walls at the front and back of the property. These have all been removed now and Paul and I decided we wanted a more understated look as you approach the bungalow. We placed a stand alone bay tree in a large planter by the front entrance and were very pleased with the overall effect. Not a geranium in sight.
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| surviving against the odds |
Looks lovely and how I remember those Geraniums in France!
ReplyDeleteHappy memories eh?
DeleteI've planted one gernamium in my compost heap garden.
ReplyDeleteJust the one?
DeleteYep, space is at a premium.
Deletegeraniums are so gorgeous. I find they have a bit of an odd scent though. Maybe its just me. ;)
ReplyDeleteThey do have a very distinctive smell.
DeleteI really like the planter that you used for the bay tree. This year I was wanting to use ivy geraniums, but I waited too long and there were none to be had. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteWe wanted a planter at the front of the property that was big enough not to look lost.
DeleteWho is that dolly bird with the flat barrow of flowers? (Cue wolf whistle)
ReplyDeleteMolly Malone?
DeleteIt is amazing how some plants survive in a crevice and yet others don't when we nurture them! I also leave any plants that come on their own and survive against the odds. They are a bonus.
ReplyDeleteVery true. Some plants just seem to find the right surroundings and flourish. We haven't done anything to encourage this one.
DeleteI have one which has survived winter and I think they deserve to live - mine is a bright red one but I rather like you much more subtle shade.
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer the bright red ones.
DeleteI have two potted Geraniums. Both have survived for about 6 years. I put them inside for the winter, having cut them back drastically, and amazingly they grow back again. A miracle.
ReplyDeleteI think they are quite a hardy plant. When we over wintered in the UK it was easier for us to buy new plants when we returned each year. We used to get them from that big nursery at Montayral.
DeleteI have more geraniums than usual this year as I had to have a tray of 20 mixed colour small plants when I ordered some to be delivered a few months ago. They are planted in about 6 different containers and making colourful splashes around the garden. Cuttings will be taken later on, hopefully grow my own for next year in the unused front bedroom!
ReplyDeleteThey are a very cheerful plant, make a lovely splash of colour.
DeleteAs a kid growing up in NZ I had the idea that geraniums went on and on for years - certainly my grandmother's ones did - outdoors, old and gnarly (the geraniums not Narna. Trying to grow geraniums in UK was a whole new education. Here in Greece the basic phone-box red ones are a garden staple, and, if their roots don't succumb to chaffer grubs, appear to thrive for years. I was surprised how readily pieces poked in the ground take root, even in the heat of summer.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people grow them in pots and 'nurse' them over winter and they will keep on going. In France we just preferred to start fresh with new plants each spring, they were very cheap to buy from our local nursery.
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