Pelargonium

We are aware of the garden geranium so popular in borders and hanging baskets. But there are a group of Pelargonium species that are scented. Their fragrances include various mints rose lemon almond orange nutmeg strawberry ginger peach camphor and even chocolate!

The foliage can be green or variegated in whites and yellows and resemble ferns or snowflakes. Leaves can be used in potpourris perfumes sachets and for flavoring preserves.

These scented plants are excellent against the mosquito on a summer patio or porch and are beautiful indoors for winter indoor bloom and fragrance. They have charmed gardeners since their introduction to England in the 17th century.

Q. I have a lovely plant which is five-lobed and smells of lemon! What do I have and are there other such plants?

A. I have grown dozens of these plants and entered them in fairs. Here is a very good write-up:

Scented pelargoniums were among the plants that we most admired and prized in our first garden over 20 years ago. Today we grow over 75 types and are adding new ones each year. We’ve even written a wonderful book [see URL below] on the subject (sorry no modesty here) with our coauthor Faye Brawner.

Scented pelargoniums often known as scented geraniums are admirable in so many ways. We can step back and view them within the intricate tapestry of a garden or move forward to explore the smaller secrets held in their fragrances shapes textures and colors. Unlike most garden plants their fragrances come not from transitory blossoms but can be summoned up at any time by gently rubbing the leaves.

Like the common garden geranium scenteds are actually members of the genus Pelargonium. The generic name from the Greek pelargos "stork" comes from the notion that the long narrow seed head resembles a stork’s bill. There are some 250 naturally occurring pelargoniums most native to South Africa. Not all are scented.