Scented Geraniums

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Discover more antique Pelargonium varieties and growing tips.​

STORY GAIL HUDSON

You know how they say “what is old is new again”? That’s certainly the case for scented geraniums. These old-fashioned favorites have been popping up in boutique garden shops all over. And for good reason—this beautiful annual offers uniquely shaped and fragrant foliage.

Known as Pelargoniums, this Mediterranean herbaceous perennial (for us northern gardeners, they’re an annual) plant can transport you to places, foods and fond memories just by rubbing the edible leaves. Oil glands located on the back of the leaves open when temperatures rise. Release an intoxicating whiff by stroking the leaves between your thumb and forefinger.

An apple-scented geranium, Pelargonium odoratissimum

History of the Pelargonium​

Pelargoniums are native primarily to South Africa. The first seeds were obtained by 17th century botanists from ships rounding the southern tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope) to establish spice trade routes. Their popularity exploded during the Victorian era, when whole greenhouses were devoted to their cultivation and breeding.

Today there are hundreds of varieties available. Countries like China use complex Pelargonium hybrids to produce essential oils for aromatherapy and fragrances.

Pelargonium attributes​

Add them to your garden, and any time you like, your “scratch and sniff” paradise offers fragrant doses of everything from rose, lemon, mint, fruit and spices (hazelnut and cinnamon).

They come with flowers, but they’re typically small, 5-petaled blooms in white, red, pink and purple. Sometimes the petals have eye-catching markings, or the color fades to a white center.

The scent variety often dictates the leaf shape and flower color. Here are some of the more popular and the more unusual options that you’ll find in garden shops that specialize in herbs or online:

‘Mrs. Taylor’ scented geranium
One of the few, red-flowered scented geraniums. It has a musky woods fragrance and sports frilly leaves.

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Rose scented geranium
Pelargonium graveolenshas deeply lobed leaves and pink, purple or white flowers.

Peacock scented Geranium (Pelargonium capitatum) When the leaves of this variety are crushed, they release a strong, rose scent. Foliage features soft irregular variegation and splashes of white.

‘Chocolate Mint’ scented geranium (Pelargonium quercifolium)Keep this variety in afternoon shade. The leaves have a peppermint scent, a striking dark center and soft as rabbit’s fur leaves. Single lavender flowers.

Hazelnut scented geranium (Pelargonium ‘Concolor Lace’)
This variety has a nutty, spicy fragrance and vibrant, crimson-colored flowers.

Apple scented geranium A number of scented geranium varieties have an apple fragrance. Some smell like sour apple candy, Granny Smith apples or crisp apples. Pelargonium odoratissimum has frilly round leaves and sprays of small whitish-pink flowers.

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Lemon varieties:​

Mabel Grey scented geranium (Pelargonium citronellum)Light pink, orchid-like flowers with dabs of fushia on the petals, this variety releases a blast of sweet, pure lemon fragrance.

Lemon Crispum scented geranium (Pelargonium crispum)
This variety is most often used for cooking. In Victorian times, the small leaves were used to make icing. Tear the leaves in half and add to sugar the day before. Then remove the leaves to make the icing. (Recipe from mountainvalleygrowers.com)

Pelargonium growing tips​

• Most varieties need full sun (6 hours of sun), and some prefer afternoon shade. Legginess means there’s insufficient light.
• Keep fast-draining soil slightly dry. They are prone to root rot with too much watering.
• Pinch back the stems every 2-3 weeks to create a more stable, rounded form with lateral branching.
• Deadhead to get more blooms
• Can be overwintered indoors as a houseplant with bright light conditions.
• Avoid combining this plant with moisture-loving plants.

Where to buy your pelargonium​

Here are some online vendors offering scented geraniums for sale:

• Renee’s Gardens: offers a half dozen fragrant trios from “chocolate and roses,” to “Sunday Brunch” with Sweet Mimosa, Pink Champagne and Orange Fizz scented geraniums.
• Mountain Valley Growers: specializes in certified organic potted herbs, including several dozen unique scented geranium varieties like ‘Chocolate Mint’ and ‘Village Hill Oak’.
• Morning sun Herb Farm: Carries a large collection of over 40 distinct Pelargonium varieties with varying scent profiles.
• Logee’s Plants for Home & Garden: Offers distinct fruiting and flowering cultivars like ‘Roger’s Delight’.

Gail Hudson is a horticulturist, an Emmy® award-winning journalist and video producer, an MHS Board member and avid gardener in Minneapolis.

@gailhudsonmedia

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