hardy geranium
Geranium 'Gernic' SUMMER SKIES
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
5 - 8
Flowers:
Violet-blue (double) Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
This hardy geranium will require regular watering, especially during hot summer months. Aim to give it 1-2 inches of water per week. If there is heavy rainfall, be sure to monitor the soil moisture to ensure the amount of water received is enough for the plant. During the winter, reduce your watering as geraniums go dormant and require less water in cooler temperatures. Make sure not to over water, as this can lead to root rot.
sunlight
Hardy Geranium 'Gernic' SUMMER SKIES needs 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best growth and flowering performance. However, it will tolerate some shade, so it is best to give it only morning sunlight and protect it from intense afternoon sun. Water deeply, and allow the soil to dry slightly before next watering. This plant requires slightly acidic soil and will benefit from applications of fertilizer to keep it healthy and looking its best.
pruning
Pruning for hardy geraniums (Geranium 'Gernic' SUMMER SKIES) should start in late winter or early spring as soon as the buds start to swell. Start by cutting down the dead foliage to the base and trimming away the dead flower heads. This will encourage new growth and new blooms. Pruning can also be done again in the summer, once the flowers have stopped blooming and the plant starts to look tired. Remove the dead flowers and cut back the stems to about half their original size. Doing this will encourage further growth and blooming. It is important to ensure that you do not remove too much of the foliage when pruning or the plant will not have enough energy to regrow later in the season.