Geranium ‘Salomé’

Description

Geranium ‘Salomé’ is a striking carpet-forming perennial valued for its dusky violet-pink flowers, dark veining, and long flowering season. With its ability to spread beautifully and thrive in a range of garden settings, Geranium is an excellent choice for borders, ground cover, cottage gardens, and naturalistic planting schemes.

PLANTING AND AFTERCARE GUIDE

Best Planting Time

• Spring: Plant Geranium in spring when the soil has begun to warm. This timing helps Geranium ‘Salomé’ establish roots early, supporting strong growth ahead of the flowering season.
• Autumn: You can also plant in early autumn, giving it time to settle before the following year’s growth.

Site Selection

• Sunlight: Geranium performs well in full sun to partial shade. Select a spot that receives several hours of light daily to ensure an abundant display of flowers.
• Soil: Choose a well-drained soil, as Geranium ‘Salomé’ dislikes sitting in water. Adding compost or organic material boosts structure, fertility, and drainage.

Planting Instructions

1. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and equal in depth. This allows the plant’s roots to spread easily.
2. Soil Preparation: Enrich the soil with compost or organic matter to enhance drainage and nutrient levels.
3. Planting: Position so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill gently and firm the soil to prevent air pockets.
4. Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly to help Geranium ‘Salomé’ settle and establish.

Watering Requirements

• Growing Season: Once established, Geranium requires only occasional watering. Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions to prevent root issues.
• Dormant Season: Reduce watering significantly during dormancy, providing moisture only when the soil becomes very dry.

Feeding

• Spring: Apply a balanced fertiliser to give Geranium ‘Salomé’ a healthy start to the growing season.
• Mid-Summer: A light feed in midsummer helps extend the flowering period and maintain vigour.

Pruning

• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering and maintain a neat appearance for Geranium ‘Salomé’.
• Autumn Pruning: After flowering finishes, cut the plant back to ground level to prepare it for winter and encourage strong regrowth.

Mulching

• Spring: Add a layer of mulch around Geranium ‘Salomé’ to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and stabilise soil temperature.
• Winter: Mulching in winter can help protect the root system during colder periods.

Supporting the Plant

• Staking: Geranium ‘Salomé’ naturally forms a spreading mat and typically requires no staking. In windy gardens, minimal support may be used if necessary.

Final Tips

Geranium ‘Salomé’ is a resilient, low-maintenance perennial that rewards gardeners with an extended season of colour from May to October. By planting in well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position, and by following these simple care guidelines, you can enjoy a vibrant, long-lasting display that enhances any garden space.