Monday, March 16, 2009

Front Porch Geraniums

I don't have a greenhouse so keeping potted plants over the winter is not an easy task for me. There are a few in back I move to the patio, put in a corner and cover, but most things are perennial, or I just "let go."
However, there is one big exception-the 2 pots of red geraniums on the front porch. I have keep them through the winter for several years. They are so big, and so showy, and bloom so well I cannot bear to leave them out in the cold. Because they are so big though, they are hard to move. Poor hubby helps me move these 2 plants around all winter.
Sometimes they stay in the garage, sometimes they are inside, and sometimes they stay in the protected corners of the front porch covered with sheets. Now remember, it does not get very cold here in my part of Texas , and even when it does, it warms up quickly.
This is what the geraniums look like today. As you can see, they have lots of blooms-and even more buds! I do not feed them at all during the winter months, so they are blooming like this without food!
It has been cool and cloudy for a week or so here. Seeing these beautiful flowers remind me that spring is almost upon us and sunshine is on the way!
"Flowers are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul!" Luther Burbank

14 comments:

Nola said...

I know whatcha mean, my back gets so tired from moving stuff into the garage, then out, then in, then out. I am so thankful when spring arrives and everything can stay out the rest of the summer! Your geraniums look great; that red really pops!

tina said...

They are splendid. I am glad for this post too. I have two geraniums I brought inside and began cuttings from them. The cuttings are blooming, but are small. I thought of tossing the two mother plants because they were so much bigger than the others. How silly of me! I hope someday they grow as large as yours and I will for sure be keeping them. Not sure what I'll do with all the offspring though.

Meadowview Thymes said...

I love red flowers Nola! But you are right about the back (and other parts for me!) :) -- I really overdo lifting and mocing things way too heavy for me!
Hey--how are the bluebonnets coming along in your area??

Tina, I have 2 cuttings inside (I knocked them off in one of the moves!) and one is blooming. I am going to try and pot them this week and see if they will survive! I have "pruned" geraniums in the middle of summer--just a little, and by fall they are lush and in bloom again--so don't give up on the mother! :)

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Wow those are beautiful. I didn't move my geraniums out of the frost this year and they survived. I guess it depends on how cold it gets. It did frost on them though. I had a nice one that I tried to transplant and killed it.(-: So now I just leave them alone.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hi Cindee--are you on spring break too? I will be spoiled by being off all week!
I have 2 small geraniums out back that I left out, but covered when the temps got below freezing. They don't look great, but I think they are going to make it!

Anonymous said...

Wow! these are beautiful. Your dedication has really paid off!

Susie said...

Those pots are so pretty. Red geraniums are such eye catching. They are the most popular color we sell at work. I don't blame you for keeping them regardless of how heavy they are. They are definitely worth it!!!

Meadowview Thymes said...

jj-where are you?? I thought you were on a church trip!! :)
Thanks!

Thanks Susie! I noticed people are flocking to the red geraniums in the garden centers. I have to watch myself or I will buy too many. They do so well here!

Brenda Pruitt said...

That's just one plant! I would say it's about time to divide that one! Then again, it may not bloom as heartily if you do...
Brenda

Meadowview Thymes said...

I know Brenda--they do so well I am afraid to touch them! :)

Barbee' said...

I am so amazed! Everyone in the world can grow them... except me. I gave up years ago. Maybe if I lived in Texas.... :)

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hi Barbee! Geraniums really do well here in Texas. You see them on everyone's front porch. I can't believe these 2 bloom like they do. Right now they are loaded with buds.
Hope things are well with you!

Anonymous said...

Wow! They look like summer with their cheerful blooms! You are lucky to be able to overwinter them in your area just by covering them with a sheet on your porch. They are definitely annuals in my area.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Racquel, they are annuals in most areas, and if I left them out the cold weather we have, it would kill them. They are lots of trouble, but these early blooms make it all worth it! :)