Pelargoniums in August: Tips for Keeping Plants Healthy and Vibrant

It has been a funny old summer but the Pellies in the garden are putting on a strong display despite the rain's best chances of spoiling that! In this post I thought I would share some of the tips to keep your displays looking great as we go through August. Some links in this blog may be affiliate links from which we may receive a small commission on anything you purchase.

August is an important month for pelargoniums in the UK, as they continue to thrive in the warm weather. Here's what you need to do to keep your plants healthy and happy.

1. Watering: As the weather gets hotter, it's important to keep your pelargoniums well-watered. Make sure the soil is moist, but not waterlogged, and water them regularly.

2. Feeding: Keep feeding your pelargoniums with a good quality fertiliser to encourage more blooms. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for best results. I would suggest a good tomato feed like Tomorite and some Seaweed extract for a bit of a boost.

3. Pruning and picking over: Regular pruning is important to keep your pelargoniums neat and encourage bushier growth. Cut back any leggy stems and remove any dead or yellowing leaves. Make sure your snips are sharp to make any cuts nice and clean to help prevent any damage. 

4. Deadheading: Deadheading spent blooms is essential to encourage the plant to produce more flowers. Simply remove the dead blooms by snipping them off at the base. You will probably find during wetter and more humid times the flowers dampen off so make sure you remove those and any fallen petals on the leaves to keep your plants healthy.

5. Pest control: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and spider mites, and use an organic insecticide to keep them under control. We are still using SB Invigorator at this time of year just to keep things at bay and picking off the little caterpillars should they appear!!

6. Heat protection: During hot spells, it is a good idea protect your pelargoniums from the sun will help protect their leaves from burning.  Moving patio pots to a shadier spot is a good idea.  We have added a little more shading to our greenhouses using shade netting, gives us a bit more flexibility to pull it across during the hot days and pull it back during the gloomier ones.

By following these tips, your pelargoniums will continue to thrive in August and beyond. With their bright blooms and scented leaves, they'll add a touch of color and fragrance to your garden that you won't forget.  

The Pelargonium in the main picture is Scented Leaved Pelargonium 'Copthorne' producing a flurry of its mauve flowers and positioned to provide its Cedar-scent when we brush past it. 

Happy gardening!