How to grow amazing colorful geraniums

 move pots indoors in autumn to ensure they grow back the following year.

Geraniums can be grown in garden soil of any types but will benefit from a neutral or alkaline soil. Grow in a position of full sun in containers, hanging baskets or flower beds.

If growing under glass, protect them from direct sun in high summer.

When growing geraniums in containers choose a peat-free multi-purpose compost with added slow-release fertiliser. Geraniums look spectacular when planted with other summer bedding plants. If planted in a good compost and kept well-watered they’ll withstand being

 planted tightly with other tender plants.

Here, Monty Don demonstrates how to plant pelargoniums and lavender in pots, for a beautiful display:

Geraniums are often grown as annuals and are composted at the end of summer. If you have room in a frost-free place, it’s worth trying to keep them over winter.

To overwinter geraniums, lift plants that are in garden soil or large pots and pot them into a smaller pot. This should be done before the first frost. Remove any damaged leaves and faded flowers. Cut plants back by about a third and position in a frost-free but bright place. The plants won’t go into complete dormancy so water lightly through the winter. In spring, apply a general liquid feed and increase watering. Plant out only once all danger of frost has passed, usually from late May.

If growing geraniums as house plants, you can let the plant carry on flowering into autumn, even winter. Keep indoor geraniums away from radiators or open fires.

Here, Monty Don explains how to reinvigorate overwintering geraniums by cutting them back hard before they start into growth:

To remove cutting material, cut above the third joint below the growing tip. Pinch out any flowering buds that are forming. With a clean knife remove all but the top two leaves. Recut the base of the cutting just below lowest joint.

Fill a plastic garden pot with cutting compost and firm the compost down. Water and insert the cuttings into the compost by about 1cm. Position pots in a warm but not hot place that is light. Don’t forget to label the pot if you’ve taken cuttings from lots of different varieties.