Will a trailing geranium survive the winter?

[cardamoncoffee]

I have some trailing geraniums in containers that are still going strong and would like to keep them (in the container) until next year. If I cut them back a bit will they survive the winter? Or should I just sling them in the compost heap at the end of the season? They will be in a relatively sheltered spot.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Depends on the winter, I think.
I have had some survive some years.

[cardamoncoffee]

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel if I cut them right back will they in theory regrow next spring?

[DoubleTweenQueen]

If you cut them back and protect them from frost and mildew they could be ok. Worth a go?

[ClumpingKate]

In a mild winter in a sheltered spot, they might survive. The cold weather might mean you lose some branches, but a hard or prolonged freeze will probably finished them off.
If you can bring them out of the frost - even into a greenhouse or unheated conservatory they will probably be ok. Don't let them get too wet either; they won't want much water.

[cultkid]

Potato sack and straw? I don't know let me ask my husband he is a plant head

[cultkid]

Perhaps over winter in green house

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Or should I just sling them in the compost heap at the end of the season? I wouldn't throw them away until they actually are dead. You'll never learn whether you could have kept them if you do that.

[cakeandchampagne]

Are they what are commonly called ‘ivy geraniums’, but are actually pelargoniums? Do you still have their tags?

[mostlydrinkstea]

Take some cuttings and keep them on a windowsill so that you have some insurance against loosing the parent plant over winter. I'm on the edge of a city and lose about two thirds of my geraniums that are left out to shift for themselves.