Lemon Geranium

Michael356

Hi all,

Need some advice regarding a lemon geranium that is in bad way. Beautiful hardy plant that has been living outdoors in a large pot for years, but it did not like the snow last month one bit. It has gone almost completely brown and looking really poorly. I really regret not taking it indoors before the snow but there you go.
What should I do now? Leave it to recover itself? Take it indoors or give it some feed for a boost? Don't want to make matters worse.

Thanks!

AuntyRach

Hi @Michael356 - are you referring to a lemon-scented-leaved Pelargonium type? I love the scented Pelargoniums/Geraniums but I find they often do not survive a Winter. I had a p.Fragrans (nutmeg scent) which did survive one Winter but I have also found it to now have gone brown post snow. I will cut it back and see of it regenerates but I am doubtful, as these are really best treated as annuals, and have cuttings taken. 

Fire

Mine were tender. I tried fleecing one last year, leaving it outside, and it died. They do seem to take from cuttings really easily, though.

Buttercupdays

Pelargoniums are tender. They come from South Africa. More confusion caused by them still being wrongly called Geraniums, though it's been going on for donkey's years.
Mine are generally happy in my greenhouse, which is kept just frost free, and they enjoy the outdoors in summer which is why they make good summer bedding. They can have a bit better chance of surviving cold if they are kept  almost dry, it's the combination of cold and wet together that kills off a lot of things, even ones that can withstand really low temperatures sometimes.

Michael356

Hi all,

Thanks for your advice. Yes, that seems to be the right plant when I Google it. Seems like it is unlikely to recover. I guess I'll leave it as is and maybe some green magic will happen.
It actually has lived outside for years through many winters but I think the beast from the east was just too much to take. I'll definitely take some cuttings next time.
Thanks.