Geraniums: Popular and Versatile Annual

Let's start with the traditional geraniums, the ones with tight clusters of blooms on single stems. They're nice, but if you want something a little more punchy, how about fancy leaf geraniums? As the name implies, the leaves are variegated. On the ivy leaf geranium, the blooms are different--there are only five petals per blossom, compared to the traditional blossom, which is much more dense, more layered.

If you want something that doesn't even look like a geranium, try 'Happy Pink'. It almost looks like the star cluster of the allium: very pretty, very dense and very different. And then there is the flamboyant 'Vancouver Sentinel' with leaves that almost look like a coleus and flowers that are totally different than ordinary geraniums.

And speaking of different, consider the chartreuse, star-shaped leaves on the geranium called 'Peppermint Star'. Or if you prefer rounder foliage, check out 'Persian Queen'. If it's fragrance you're after, scented geraniums are just the ticket. The flowers don't smell, and in fact they're quite small, but the foliage is loaded with perfume and they come in many different scents such as apple, mint, pineapple, chocolate and even citronella.

Start with a large pot that has good drainage at the bottom. Fill the pot with soil. Instead of the dracaena to add height, try an Australian tree fern. It has a lot of texture and looks terrific in a pot with geranium. Gently remove the fern from its container, and if the roots are tightly woven together, score the sides just a bit. Dig a hole as deep as the container and place the fern inside.

For the next plant, try the tropical perennial called Persian shield. Its big purple leaves combine nicely with the fine foliage of the tree fern. On the other side of the pot, add another hint of purple called purple heart, which is great for spilling over the edge of the pot. Next to that, plant 'Happy Pink' and fill in with the chartreuse leaves of the 'Persian Queen'.

For a trailing effect, variegated trailing ivy is ideal. Or you can try purple sweet potato vine. Mix in a couple other fancy leaf geraniums, and you have a look that will be the talk of the neighborhood.

Once you get all the plants in place, give them a good drink of water. Place the pot in full sun, and once a week feed it with a water-soluble fertilizer. Remove the spent blooms, and you'll have a new look with an old favorite.