To care for a Brookside geranium, it is important to provide it with the right soil conditions, watering schedule, and occasional maintenance. These steps will ensure that your geranium stays healthy and blooms beautifully.
Soil: Brookside geraniums prefer compost-enriched soil that retains moisture. It is a good idea to amend the soil with compost before planting your geraniums. This will provide them with the nutrients they need and help the soil retain moisture. If you are planting your geranium in a pot, make sure to use a high-quality potting mix that contains organic matter.
Watering: Geraniums generally like their soil to be consistently moist but not waterlogged. It is important to water your Brookside geraniums regularly, especially during dry spells or hot summer months. However, be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. A good way to check if your geranium needs water is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. On the other hand, if it feels moist, you can wait a little longer before watering.
Maintenance: To keep your Brookside geranium looking its best, it is recommended to snip off spent flowering stems at the base. This encourages the plant to produce new blooms and helps to freshen up the foliage. Additionally, you can shear the tops of the plant back to new growth, which will stimulate rebloom and promote a more compact, bushy habit. This can be done throughout the growing season whenever the plant starts to look leggy or tired.
Division: In general, Brookside geraniums do not require division. However, if you notice that your plant has become overcrowded or is not flowering as profusely as before, you can divide it in the spring or fall. To divide, carefully dig up the entire plant and gently separate the roots into smaller clumps. Replant the divisions in well-prepared soil, ensuring that each division has enough space to grow and thrive.
Personal Note: I have had the pleasure of caring for Brookside geraniums in my own garden, and I have found them to be relatively low-maintenance plants. As long as they are provided with the right soil conditions and regular watering, they tend to thrive and produce abundant blooms. I particularly enjoy snipping off the spent flowering stems to encourage new growth and prolong the blooming period. The vibrant blue flowers of the Brookside geranium add a beautiful touch to any garden, and I highly recommend giving them a try!
