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Geraniums in general and GW's (hayloft) Geranium offer

The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
in Plants
I'm looking for some hard working perennials for my border to get me started off. they need to be long flowering and preferably able to provide some sort of leaf colour/structure all year round as well as being relatively easy to care for. Geranium seem to tick all the boxes here.

Ideally I'd like them to be plants that I could divide at a later date, get seeds from or take a cutting to fill spaces/replace as required, although I'm not sure if Geranium fit the bill here.  

I'm not wanting to splash out on the 'instant garden', I'd rather enjoy seeing it develop as I go along, but I do want something I can pop in the ground now as a wee reward for the graft I've put in so far (that's allowed I reckon).

Bearing that in mind, Would you think I am reasonably accurate in my assessment of what I'd get from Geranium or completely wrong? 

Also, has anyone any experience with the offers in the GW magazine, in particular the ones from hayloft? They have a little collection in the May edition that seem like decent value.
Are the Geranium they are selling fully hardy and perennial?
Are the plants supplied usually healthy specimens?
Would the plants supplied be able to go into the border straight away? 

Apologies for the multitude of questions that I have, as ever, any advice and/or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks. 
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Posts

  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    I have loads of geraniums for exactly the reasons you suggest - except that they won't give all year round structure because they'll disappear in the winter.

    I've bought a number of collections from Hayloft. I think it's them that classify plants as either "hardy" or "fully hardy" and the former won't survive a really cold snap so check exactly what it says. The plants are usually pretty healthy but will be tiny and will need growing on for at least a season before they are ready to plant out. I've only just planted out the ones that I bought last year.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Penstemon, geum, coreopsis and hellebores are hard working perennials.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    edited May 2018
    What type of soil and aspect will your plants be growing in? You are better off buying plants from ebay than somewhere like Haylofts. I'm afraid, you pay for a tiny plant and in my opinion, poor standard and not good value. Beware of offers, they do not inform you they cannot fulfil their orders until the last minute and force you to take their vouchers. Unless it is some very rare plant, for offers, you are likely to find they are not in stock after they have taken your money. Also, their hardy rating system is not helpful and over-estimates hardiness. Unless you know the plants you are buying, always check elsewhere first.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Penstemons can be a bit iffy hardiness wise up here, but there are loads of perennials you could work with TBG.
    Hardy geraniums will give you a long succession of flowering, depending on the varieties you pick. I don't know if the offer is for hardy ones or pelargoniums, but if they're hardy - they're easy to split and you can easily build up stock. I'd imagine they'll be quite small plants though - but they would grow on quickly at this time of year, and you'd be able to split in autumn or in spring. A good tip is to visit nurseries or GCentres in September when they're reducingprices of perennials.A pot that's bursting at the seams can often be split into three or four plants, depending on what the plant is  :)

    If you get a few bits and pieces of evergreen ground cover, shove some bulbs in [plant in early autumn along with the geraniums]  for late winter/spring, they'll fill the gaps and provide interest until the geraniums grow and flower. 
    You can always add some vertical perennials for variation, and a few shrubs, to stop it all looking 'flat', but it depends what size the area is and aspect etc. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
    edited May 2018
    Thanks for the replies, before I respond I 'll pop up some pics with a bit more info (should have done this before but didn't realise my wee cheapo phone could take pics :blush:  )  With the exception of the bottom one, in all the pics the sun comes roughly from bottom left through the centre to top right. I haven't tested the soil yet but I will before making any purchases.

    First off, (proposed lawn area to front) this corner gets dappled light under the tree, not a great deal of sun, but it is light so my spring bulbs will live there and if I have weed free soil in Summer/Autumn I wont be too disappointed. I may scatter some seeds in there for Summer (poppies or such like) as a shot to nothing. Sun moves from left hand corner of the soil past the tree and my slimfast cordyline to the right.



    The patch to the left (between slimfast cordyline and first fence post) is only about 50cm deep, it has poor stony soil and I was thinking that maybe lavender would be ok in there. It gets half decent sun early morning and dappled sun early afternoon, still pretty light though. 


    The bit where I'm currently growing a clothes pole is where I want my Geranium (or others) to perform. It's Southish facing and gets full sun all morning and most of the afternoon. I'd be happy putting full sun or half sun in here tbh, I reckon both would be ok. From fence post the radius is a 'good' metre, tapering to around 60cm at my rose? and out to about 80cm at my variegated bush thing. This is the spot I will mostly look at when sitting in the garden. Rose and bush thing could be moved.


    This spot is next to my back door, it has a bushy type thing (as you can see) and gets a wee bit of sun, late morning early afternoon, It is still quite light. I thought of maybe moving the variegated bush fro previous picture in beside it. It looks to be the same type as this one (apart from the variegation).


    The chipped areas to the front of the pics get all the available sun and are where I shall be planted. This area is not open to suggestions.  :D  I'll share it with pots of colourfull things though. 


    It's not much, but it's mine and I'd like it to be a nice place for me to catch the sun and potter about in. If butterflies and bees like it as well, even better. :smile:


  • The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
    edited May 2018
    @Singing Gardener  @Borderline So, I'm thinking they are decent enough flowers but perhaps a bit hit and miss on occasion and not what I'm looking for at the moment as I'd need to bring them on? 

    @Fire I've been looking at Geum, I like them as well, might take a closer look at the others you mention. 

    @Fairygirl Good advice on visiting GC's in Sept. As it's a smallish space I reckon 50-60cm should give me enough height for the bulk of my border with maybe some sort of clematis for the fence behind and perhaps one or two taller single stalk type things  poking through here and there (not an abundance though)? 
    Would a clematis climb up that tree do you think? Feet in shade and a sunny canopy. Be nice to have a summer one for between the spring blossom and late summer/autumn apples.  

    I reckon I'm going to have to be patient and wait till next year to really start enjoying it, but that's ok. I'm happy enough with where I've got it too so far.

    Thanks for the responses. 
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    Up to you but I’d definitely get some plants in now. Geranium and geum are ideal good value plants. I’d highly recommend hayloft totally reputable company which will replace anything that dies, but I agree they would be too small for you right now. Garden centre perennials would be a better bet. Even better ask or free ones, maybe on freecycle. 
    If you get some perennials in now, some bulbs in September there will be a big difference this time next year. 
  • PurplerainPurplerain Posts: 1,053
    I would second that @a1154 . I have always been happy with Hayloft.

    And here was me thinking you were a silly billy TBG, with your daft jokes when really you are very organised. 

    A really cheap way of getting clematis is to buy the supermarket ones and pot them up now, planting them out next year. I find that they will grow anywhere if you give them somewhere to climb.


    SW Scotland
  • The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
    @a1154 I might pop out tomorrow and see what B&Q have, so I can make a wee start.

    @Purplerain  Nope, I'd go with your first assessment if I were you.  :D Regards clematis, would I be able to do as you suggest and keep it indoors till next year, or do you mean keep it in a pot outside for now? I haven't got a greenhouse or cold frame but I do like the idea of saving a few pounds if I can.
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Morrisons the supermarket were selling clematises and honeysuckles for £1 each the other week. Keep your eye on them for future plant buys if you have one near. The plants were big enough to go in this year. I don't shop there a lot but the plants seem to be well grown and well looked after. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
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