I've always loved Geraniums. Regardless the color, or the flower type. I'm one of those weird ones that actually like the smell. You see, it reminds me of my childhood, of my Grampa's greenhouse where he grew and sold bedding plants. It reminds me of transplanting stuff for my dad in his solarium. It reminds me of... so many things, summer, warmth, gorgeous plants that are easy to care for (who does not like those?!!!)

So, here's a little story. Last summer, I went to our local hardware store, and saw the most amazing lavender colored geranium in a hanging basket. I had the lady working there put it aside for me, and I'd be back for it in 2 days. A very nice person (NOT!) took it even though it had a hold note on it, and I lost out. I was not happy, in fact, I was very very sad.

This year, I went back to said hardware store (there's only one here). And lo and behold, what do I see? A gorgeous beautiful STUNNING lavender colored geranium. So I bought it, there and then! They only get 1 each year so this year its MINE! lol!

Geraniums are fairly hardy, not hardy enough to spend the winter outside, but hardy enough to tolerate the weird cold wet weather we've been getting. They are also very forgiving, at least in my experience with them.

Water them when dry, dead head (remove spent/dead flowers) regularly, or if you want seeds let them go to seed. (The seeds look like little black teadrops, with fuzzies all over them, as if they are growing a beard). If they get too tall and lanky, do like my dad once told me to do to my beloved red geranium. CUT IT DOWN! It took everything for me to do so, even though I knew my dad knew best.

So, if you have a geranium that's getting long in the legs, cut it down, KEEP the cut portion, and remove the lower leaves, and stick THAT part in the ground. In a short while (I'd say maybe 1-1 1/2 months) you'll have a new geranium, and the other part that got the haircut should be sprouting new growths.

These guys are perfect for so many area, baskets, containers, garden, ground, less than perfect flower beds. Forgiving they are, and simple to care for.

When fall rolls around, you can either recycle them in the compost heap (noooo!) or bring them in for the winter. Some people cut theirs really short, and put them in a dark cool place. I brought in my neighbor's geranium (which she was going to throw out), and stuck it in my kitchen on a rolling pot holder. It was right in front of the patio door, but also right above the heating duct vent AND in front of the stove. I also have 3 cats and a dog. So imagine the abuse. Well, during the winter, it bloomed the most massive bloom! and it hardly ever got watered (only when I remembered!) It grew to monster proportions. At its highest, it reached my hips (I'm 5'6")! and it got moved here there everywhere!

I took cuttings when spring rolled around, and gave back a baby to my neighbor. The local hummingbirds loved it when it was out during the summer too!

To take a cutting, you select a thick healthy branch with plenty of leaves. Remove any flowers (they will sap the energy otherwise needed to make new roots). You cut the branch just below a node (a bump) and either stick it in earth (and remember to keep it moist NOT wet) or in water and let it root. I like the earth way better as you don't have to "retrain" the geranium to live off the earth.

I only have my ONE geranium this year. But I'm most definitely NOT recycling it to the compost bin. And when I bring it in for the winter, I have the peace of mind that, my cats who normally graze anything green, will leave it alone! yesss! Look at those pics! at that color! yes, you are drooling. :)