Geranium Bouquets
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This geranium sprig is a bouquet of tiny flowers made by nature. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Geranium Bouquets
If you have room, or a pot, for only one flower to grow for cut flowers, grow geraniums. These easy to grow annuals, originally from South Africa, are easy to grow and provide a ready supply of natural bouquets. Each geranium flower head is a collection of smaller flowers growing in a tight round head.
Once cut, each flower head stem has a built-in bouquet, ready to sit in a flower vase and brighten any room.
Cut geranium stems once flowers have started to bloom. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Depending on how old the flower head is when cut, my cut geraniums have lasted 1-2 weeks in a flower vase. That’s a nice run for cut flowers.
I also bring my potted geraniums inside over winter. After they adjust to being inside for the duration of winter, they continue to bloom through most of winter, giving me a continuous source of flowers. I do fertilize them through winter so they get their energy to keep on blooming.
About this time of year, home and garden centers mark down geranium starts to clear out the inventory. The starts may be small but once potted and regularly watered, they will get some good growth.
These geranium starts were $1 each at a local home and garden center. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
Once nicely established, geraniums can turn into large plants so give them room to grow.
People on live online session often mistake this geranium for roses. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)
This particular geranium lives in my office, in a south-facing window. After about 10 years, the plant is 3 feet tall. I have segments tied to stakes to keep them upright.
Every spring I remove as much of the old soil as I can reach and give it fresh soil. I also try to keep it evenly watered, although I sometimes miss that but the plant quickly recovers.
I compost the fading flower heads. That encourages the plant to grow more. The flower heads can easily be removed by snapping the single stem off.
With regular diluted fertilizer, this geranium will bloom for months, providing flowers on the plant as well as flowers for bouquets.
