Geranium Ballerina

g4zny · 2 January

Hi All. I'm after a little bit of advice please regarding a 5 year old Geranium cinereum.
What the best way of rejuvenating it as it's a bit overgrown with masses of dead foliage. I've started to pull some of the thatch out but fear I could rip out growing foliage.
Many thanks in advance.

Busy-Lizzie · 2 January

Cut off all the old foliage, low down. This should be done every year. Don't worry about the little green leaves in it. They will grow back. You can also divide it in spring, which will rejuvanate it and give you more plants.

ViewAhead · 2 January

A patch of my geraniums looks a bit like that at the moment. I shouldn't worry as they are very forgiving. Cutting the old stuff off in late October or early November works for me usually, but the continuously rain has held me up this yr.

Fairygirl · 2 January

I always grew it in the best draining site I could find, as it's more of an alpine type than the more common, large ones. It's a lovely little plant.
I grow one of the subcaulescens ones, and it also prefers a better draining position. It's in the gravelled area in the back garden. They're best in rockeries or similar sites.
Mine always just died back and came away again in spring

g4zny · 2 January

Hi Busy Lizzie and ViewAhead.

Many thanks for the replies. I am quite ruthless with all my other hardy geraniums including the sanguineum types but thought that the cinereum group needed a more delicate approach. I have 3 more Ballerinas and 2 Laurence Flatman plants in a similar condition so I will try your approach on a couple of each.

Many thanks for taking the time to read/ respond to me dilemma and I’m sure Mr Bloom, of the Alan variety, would have given me the same advice.

Cheers

Keith

Geranium Ballerina

Posts