Description

As lovers of warm sun, geraniums are amongst the most reliable of summer-blooming plants, earning their reputation for hardiness and low levels of maintenance by flowering profusely and continuously from May until the first frost. They look sensational in baskets, containers or boxes, meaning those whose outside space is limited to small gardens or balconies can also enjoy them. The beauty of geraniums is emphasised when combined with sun-loving herbs or pollinator-friendly summer flowers. In the arrangement shown above, different geraniums are potted alongside Balkan clary (Salvia nemorosa), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus), savory (Satureja montana) and fern-leaved beggar’s ticks (Bidens ferulifolia). This combination is not just visually appealing, it also promotes biodiversity in the garden. Natural materials such as wood, terracotta, stone and antique or upcycled pots bring out the garden’s naturalistic feel. You can also give your outdoor space a personal touch with hand-crafted accent pieces which help you put together unique design features that are as practical and beneficial to nature as they are beautiful. For insect-friendly container gardening (top image) you can combine your easy-care geraniums with bee-friendly plants such as garden speedwell (Veronica longifolia), garden scabious (Scabiosa caucasica), bacopa (Sutera cordata) and horned pansy (Viola cornuta), which together form vibrant displays that will delight humans and wildlife alike.