Wednesday 2 December 2015

Plant Citronella Bushes

The citronella bush is a lavender-blooming geranium with the scent of citronella. Although citronella geraniums are often referred to as "the mosquito plant," these tropical annuals are unrelated to true citronella, a type of long grass grown for its insect-repelling oil. Citronella bushes can grow up to 3 feet tall, and thrive in zones 9 through 11. Plant citronella bushes in a sunny area after the danger of the first frost has passed. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions


1. Dig a hole double the size of the citronella plant's current container. Plant citronella bushes in an area with at least six hours of full sun.


2. Mix 3 parts of high-quality garden soil with 1 part of fully composted material.


3. Remove the citronella bush carefully from the container and place it into the hole. Fill the hole with the soil and compost mixture and pack it lightly around the plant.


4. Water the citronella bushes thoroughly. Keep the soil moist on hot, dry days, but avoid watering on cool days to prevent root rot.


5. Fertilize citronella bushes with a slow-release 19-5-9 fertilizer as directed by the manufacturer.

Tags: citronella bushes, citronella bush