Isn’t it marvellous to see brightly coloured Geraniums (Pelargoniums) dripping over the edges of window boxes, hanging baskets and pots? These trailing types are wonderful for cottage gardens, sunny urban balconies or in a Mediterranean style garden – but if you’re limited in terms of space or you want the Geranium look on a neater level, training your plants up instead of out is the way forward.
How to train your Geraniums
If you love the look of trailing Geraniums but prefer an upright habit, you can easily train them to grow up a support. ‘Tall, Dark and Handsome’ is selected for vigour, and gives the best climb of any Zonal Geranium!
What you’ll need
- An obelisk or climbing frame
- Soft twine
- A sunny bed/border or container
Once your Geraniums are ready to plant out (usually when all risk of frost has passed, as these are tender perennials that hail from South Africa), place them in their final location. As stated earlier, this should be a sunny bed/border, or a container in a similar location.Â
Plant them into light, well-drained soil next to an obelisk or climbing frame to train the stems onto.Â
Feed and water your plants as the season progresses. Do not let the soil become too moist or too dry. As the stems grow longer, tie them onto the support using your twine. Continue to tie the stems if they begin to droop, so that they continue to grow up the support.
Deadhead regularly to encourage blooming throughout the summer. Although you want your plant to be tall, you also want it to be full!
Geranium Tall, Dark and Handsome: The perfect Geranium for training
There are lots of trailing Geranium varieties, but the one that stands tall above the rest (literally!) is Geranium Tall, Dark and Handsome.Â
This variety features lush, dark leaves that accentuate its bright colours. Like other Geraniums, this is available in a range of pinks, oranges and reds to brighten up any garden or outdoor area.
Train it onto a supporting frame or trellis in a bed/border or container to create a head-turning display! This gorgeous plant has a height of 120cm and spread of 60cm – so make the most out of its proportions if you can!
Geranium Tall, Dark and Handsome is available now at QVC.
Where would you plant this Geranium? Let me know in the comments below!
Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan.
Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook. You can also listen to The Plant Based Podcast with Michael and co-host Ellen-Mary on iTunes, Spotify and Google.
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Sue Knight
I have ordered the tower planter for my geranium and I am going to use it as a focal point at the bottom of my garden.
Linda
Hi Michael, I will plant mine in the Thompson & Morgan Tower pots & can’t wait. xx
Jess
Just ordered mine 😊 solo excited! Could you tell me if these would be okay in a dark shed over the winter period and what size do I cut them down to when signs of first frost arrives?
Michelle
Hi Michael, I have purchased the TSV and wondered if all 3 of the plants are in the tower on display in the studio?
Cheryl Watson
Wow these are lovely but two sets one for me and one for dads who sadly passed away a few weeks ago he would have loved the colour. You do an excellent job, and the plants are amazing keep going and great advice putting them either side of the doors.