They are the staples of the summer flower border. Bright blooms, fragrant leaves and easy growth habit make these plants the gardener's go-to flower. These long-lived, easy-to-grow plants survive and thrive in every garden situation. With attractive foliage and pretty flower colours in reds, whites, pinks and peaches, they are happiest in full sun but also seem to manage perfectly well in the shade too.

Geraniums are one of the most recognisable  summer bedding plants, and are technically perennials. However, most home gardeners know these plants as annuals. Originating in the hot climates of southern Africa and Australia, they have been long prized by British gardeners as container plants. Their vibrant flowers and whimsical scalloped leaves look right at home in porch pots or window boxes. Though some may consider them old-fashioned flowers, these plants are still a top garden staple for good reason - low maintenance!

The humble geranium seems to survive most conditions and its fair share of neglect, but gardeners can do one simple thing to ensure those blooms remain continuous and abundant throughout the summer and that is to make sure they 'deadhead' them correctly.

The one simple rule for deadheading geraniums is to remove the entire spent flower stalk, including the seed head, down to the next healthy leaf node or the main stem. This encourages new growth and more blooms. Avoid simply snipping off the flower head, as this can leave behind a stem that may rot and potentially cause disease.

Rather, first, identify spent blooms. Look for flowers that have faded or are starting to dry out. 

Next, locate the leaf node: find the point where the flower stalk connects to the main stem or a healthy leaf node on the stem. 

Now here comes the important part! Remove the entire stalk. Pinch or snap off the stalk at that point, or use sharp scissors or pruners if needed. 

Finally, remove any yellowing or damaged leaves at the same time. Deadhead regularly throughout the blooming season to keep your geraniums looking their best and encourage continuous flowering.

To bloom abundantly and continuously, geraniums need watering regularly. Use your finger to find out whether you need to give them a drink. If the soil feels dry and warm to a depth of 2cm, your plants need more water.

According to gardeningknowhow, "Aside from their gorgeous flowers, one of the reasons why geraniums are so beloved is how easy they are to grow. With just a bit of basic maintenance, anyone can enjoy colourful geranium blooms all summer long." 

They add: "The plant most people in the United States call 'geraniums' are actually part of the genus Pelargonium. The name comes from the Greek word pelargos, which means 'stork' due to the beak-like appearance of the plant's seedpods."

There are four main types of tender geranium flowers most gardeners grow: Most commonly grown as annuals and in beds are zonal geraniums. These are named for the different zones of color in their leaves. The flowers are usually white, pink, salmon, or red.

Scented geraniums have interesting aromas that smell like rose, apple, peppermint, or citronella. In fact, mosquito plants are actually a type of geranium. This type of geranium doesn't have showy flowers, though their fragrance make them a lovely addition to the garden.

Regal, or Martha Washington geraniums, are most often used as houseplants, and Ivy geraniums have leaves that resemble ivy and a trailing growth habit.

Gardeningknowhow conclude: "Geraniums require very little maintenance to grow well. Deadhead spent geranium blooms to keep plants flowering, and pinch off stems to encourage branching. Otherwise, you don’t really need to prune a geranium to keep it happy and thriving."