Geraniums are popular with gardeners all over the country because they are easy to grow, their pretty blooms have a lovely scent and they are so forgiving.

Considered a perennial, geraniums are treated as an annual in the Pacific Northwest because they can only endure light frosts in the winter.

Geraniums can be wintered over easily to keep plants until the spring, when they can be returned to the outdoors to thrive and flower once again. Here’s the most popular wintering method:

• Dig geraniums up and shake soil from roots.
• Hang plants upside down or place a few plants in a large paper bag and leave in a cool dry place (45-50°F).
• Once a month during the winter, soak roots in water for 1 to 2 hours.
• After the chance for frost has past, cut back each geranium and plant outside or in a pot.
• Water thoroughly.

Another method is to prune geraniums back to half their height, plant each in a separate pot and move indoors to a sunny spot. Water only when the soil becomes dry and pinch back occasionally to produce stocky, well-branched plants.

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