It is the scented leaves of Pelargoniums rather than the flower that attracts growers and collectors. They are often used in scented gardens for the blind but are useful in a normal garden border where they may be brushed or touched. As indoor pot plants they are ideal as living pot-pourri and may be hybrids or species in their own right.
Top 10 Scented leaved Pelargoniums
- Pelargonium Fragrans Variegata a small plant with lots of scented green and white leaves with the aroma of spice, pine and lemon.
- Mable Grey woody and harder to grow but heavy lemon scented leaves
- P. graveolens Lady Plymouth a strong grower favoured for exhibitions with a rose like scent
- Prince of Orange is an old variety that as the name implies smells of orange
- Little gem is a dwarf grower with a spicy scent that remains fresh until late in the year
- Attar of Roses is small and compact with plentiful multi lobed leaves
- Other possible contenders for ‘a top of list’ include P tomentosum (peppermint), P clorinds (pine), and P. quercifolium an aquired pungency not to everyones taste.
- There are a range of fruit and nut scented varieties like Countess of Scarborough (strawberry), Big Apple and Patrons Unique (apricot)
- Not to my taste is the Chocolate Peppermint with brown leaves that are mint scented
Cultivation tips
- Leaves are generally round, lobed or heart shaped
- Scented oil is held in downy hairs on the leaf
- P.Crispum has crinkly leaves and a self branching habit
- Pinch out and prune regularly
- Scented geraniums do not need much fetiliser or tend to loose the scent
- Tidy old leaves and flowers
- Many flowers are small and comparatively inconsequential
- Give them good light and air circulation
