Geraniums - tell me more

[MaggieW]

I really want to grow some big pots of the Geraniums next summer that bush up and out - not sure of the variety - as saw them at a friend's last summer and they were spectacular. They had a smaller flower than the trad. ones but looked great. Can anyone advise what variety they might have been and whether they will come back each year? Also are they best grown from seed or from plug or plant? TIA.

Sorry stillcrazy, I wasn't trying to be picky, or to 'correct' the OP, just trying to be helpful, as the OP didn't seem to be sure what she was looking to buy for her garden. I just thought she might have been looking at geraniums rather than pelargoniums at her friend's house.

yes midnight aren't they both so beautiful! I don't think it's picky it's just confusing ain't it? Does anyone know if it would be easy to grow geraniums in an alkili garden with calcareous rocks and sandyish soil? I can vary the light levels; it's not far south 2hours inland from la Rochelle

I know that they grew very sucessfully in my parents' garden and they were VERY chalky and dry. I do grow them 'up' in the borders in my garden where they are slightly above the standing water...

I wouldn't go too mad and get lots without trying one or two out (and get the ones that are reasonably tough rather than some of the small ones that can be a bit more difficult to establish) but its certainly worth a try - and they do like sun.

thank you mistlethrush I'll try.