Pelargoniums Before the First Cold Night
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Pelargoniums can make a pot feel lively with a small number of flowers. Choose a manageable plant and a container that lets you inspect the compost. Before autumn arrives, decide where it can receive suitable winter care.
The RHS British growing guide distinguishes these tender plants from hardy geraniums. They need protection from cold, with overwintering conditions appropriate to the plant and method. An unheated exposed porch is not automatically frost-free.
Move manageable pots safely, checking for damage and unwanted pests before bringing plants under cover. Maintain suitable light, ventilation and moisture instead of assuming winter means no care. Pelargoniums are ornamental and can be harmful to pets; keep them out of reach where needed.
Record which plants remain worth caring for and how much sheltered space you have. A few healthy pots next year can be a better display than a collection too large to manage through winter.