Daisey, thinking that you are about the same as a US Z8, if they were in the ground without protection over winter they are most likely dead. Sometime in the next 4-5 weeks, if alive, they would begin to show little bits of green at the old leaf axils - new growth beginning. Mine in my similar climate will usually endure about 5 years average on my semi protected (partly glassed) porch before the temperature drops just low enough to wipe them out, even though I cover them with old tablecloths in the worst weather....I would surely lose them to a few nights below 28F (-2.2C?) in the ground. We had a rough winter, my own in 24" pots, semi protected, are showing no signs of life here either, I'm almost certain I've lost them this year. Giving the stems a pinch between fingers reveals firm tissue closer to the soil line (soft further up) but I'm not holding out much hope and expect to be shopping for replacements.

Thanks Joe, some good suggestions there. I definitely agree with you about ivy geraniums looking good even without water. I tossed some big cuttings onto a pile of nothing and somehow they rooted and are even blooming!! They've been there since early this year and I gave them NO water all year. Except for the rain (what little of it we've had), they are thriving. I have some planted all along a retaining wall at the base of roses and they look terrific once they get going. I can just stick a cutting into dry soil, give it a little water and then forget about it, and it will take root and grow and bloom. Yet, they are not invasive at all. A great plant for easy care and lots of color. Can't believe I didn't think about Helichrysum. I grew it years ago in a too-shady spot and have been wanting to grow it again in a sunnier spot. This spot on the slope would be perfect because it does get some shade beneath a tree until the sun is high and the 'Limelight' variety would be very showy. It looks nice weaving among other plants, like it did when I grew it with the peppermint scented geranium years ago. I will also research and consider your other suggestions. Thanks! Jen

Hi Origami_Master, I have nutmeg scented geranium, would you be interested? I could quick take cuttings and see which ones root up. It smells divine, and Richters says it has culinary uses too. It stays quite small but is one of my favourite things to brush up against in the winter. I also have culinary / hummingbird magnet, honey melon sage - these are already rooted. (super easy to overwinter and root). Or well rooted mojito mint cuttings. Hope some of these tempt you! The fern leaf geranium sounds so pretty. Cheers, BlueIris3

Where are these pels, outside or inside? The first time I showed my brother-in-law what I had saved from the previous season of half a dozen geraniums, he was convinced the 3 he gave up on were first rate plants that will enjoy another season. They looked like they were candidates for the garbage heap but that's what needs convincing people the plant is still very much what will return. Not all annuals can be so saved, but geranium and a few others are able to come back even when they are dried up clumps of .... The cue is to help them avoid any stress by cutting them back --to as little as 3" - 4", and giving them fresh potting soil, into a clean pot (clay is good) giving them as much sunlight in a window (south or western exposure is ideal...eastern will do too) watering them to drainge, then not watering again until new leaves form. Turn the plant a quarter turn every day or so to give all parts equal sunlight. Within two weeks, new growth should be well under way. Whether new flower buds appear before going out in May, not to worry, new flowring is a guarantee---as good as it was...maybe even better.