Zonal geraniums are more accurately called ‘Pelargoniums’.

After a several good years I got careless this weekend and lost some good growth and suffered several set backs after an air frost. Similar even took place 6 years ago and that was at the start of June.

Remember if your pelargonium stems get frosted then the plant will die and not recover!

In the North of England there can be frosts late in May and early June. In Scotland and on high ground keep your thermometer handy whenever frost is threatened.

The zonal is named for the distinct bands of colour around the leaf. On this example 3 distinct shades are obvious even though it is a black and white image. These distinctive colours and patterns are quite sought after and some varieties are grown for the leaf shade alone.

If you are worried about frost geraniums make fine house plants. They can be kept in flower throughout the year and the flowers can be picked for a small vase. If you time it right when several ‘pips’ are showing full colour they can last over a couple of weeks as the other pips keep opening.

Try regular weekly feeding of high potash feed with an occasional nitrogen booster.