I was just down in Monterey & forgot how pretty these are. I have 3 planters I want to fill. I have loads to trade

I think its too late now. I got mine at HD in March just when they got them. Its been in full bloom twice before and is blooming again. I have one in the ground from last year not doing so well but it got froze and has bloomed but is very small.

Slip them? Is that a term for taking cuttings? This is a perfect time to take cuttings, I am about to start cuttings from my Persian Shield and my Angel wing begonias. It will give them time to establish themselves. I was looking at pics on line of the Martha Washington Geraniums yesterday - they are nice!

eahamel, I'm in Sunland, CA, which is in a Los Angeles County foothill area. I just found that I'm in zone 10a (Sunset's zone 19). We have hot summers with low humidity here and winters haven't dropped to freezing in several years. I would think you could grow Martha Washingtons easily in Houston as long as your winters are mild. I planted mine where they are getting 6-7 hours of hot afternoon sun each day. That was before I read that they don't like afternoon sun, but they are looking great while some of the other nearby plants have scorched a bit. I planted them in well draining, sandy soil, which I added lots of compost to and mulched with cedar bark. I have ivy geraniums also, but I find MWs easier to grow. They seem to be working as a perennial here, as I've had them for over two years now. BTW, the little orange bugs have disappeared for the summer at least. They didn't eat much at all.