Geranium ‘Brookside’

Description

Geranium ‘Brookside’ is a vibrant, long-flowering perennial admired for its violet-blue blooms and reliable garden performance. Follow this planting and aftercare guide to help your Geranium ‘Brookside’ thrive beautifully throughout the season.

PLANTING and AFTERCARE GUIDE

Best Planting Time

• Spring: Plant Geranium ‘Brookside’ in spring as the soil warms, allowing strong root development ahead of the growing season.
• Autumn: Early autumn planting also works well, giving time to settle before its next flush of growth.

Site Selection

• Sunlight: Geranium ‘Brookside’ grows best in full sun to partial shade. Choosing a position with generous light encourages abundant flowering.
• Soil: Plant in moist, well-drained soil. Enrich the planting area with compost to improve both structure and drainage.

Planting Instructions

1. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal in depth. This gives Geranium ‘Brookside’ ample room to establish.
2. Soil Preparation: Incorporate compost or other organic matter to enhance fertility and moisture retention.
3. Planting: Position the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Backfill gently and firm the soil.
4. Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly to settle the soil and promote strong initial growth.

Watering Requirements

• Growing Season: Water during dry spells, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering. Avoid excess watering to prevent root problems.
• Dormant Season: Reduce watering significantly, providing moisture only if the soil becomes very dry.

Feeding

• Spring: Apply a balanced fertiliser to support healthy new growth on Geranium ‘Brookside’.
• Mid-Summer: Light feeding mid-season encourages prolonged flowering and vitality.

Pruning

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers regularly to extend the bloom period and keep the plant neat and productive.
• Autumn Pruning: After flowering finishes, cut the plant back to ground level to promote strong regrowth the following year.

Mulching

• Spring: Add mulch around the base of your Geranium to regulate soil temperature, retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Winter: Mulching also helps protect the crown and roots through colder months.

Supporting the Plant

Geranium ‘Brookside’ has a naturally robust, slightly arching growth habit, so support is rarely required. In exposed or windy positions, light staking may help maintain shape.

Final Tips

Geranium ‘Brookside’ is a low-maintenance perennial that rewards gardeners with months of colour. Plant Geranium ‘Brookside’ in fertile, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight, and follow this care routine to enjoy its vibrant flowers from early summer through to autumn. With the right conditions, Geranium will become a reliable feature in any garden.

RHS Details

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