Pelargonium odoratissimum
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On species Pelargoniums, commonly known as ‘scented geraniums,’ the flowers are almost an afterthought. I grow them for their beautiful, fragrant leaves, and am always thrilled if flowers appear. I found a nice selection of scented geraniums at The Great Big Greenhouse this summer. Though I was mostly interested in the huge leaves of the chocolate scented variety, I scooped up several others as well.
I bought this apple scented Pelargonium odoratissimum, which is a species and not a cultivar or hybrid, on the late summer clearance. It didn’t look very promising on the day that I bought it. But I planted it in a large pot in full sun on our front patio beside an established tri-color sage, and hoped for the best.
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With regular water and a bit of feeding, it has tripled in size and bloomed. I am just delighted to find it giving us spray after spray of these tiny white flowers.
People often confuse Pelargoniums with Geraniums. Most of the fancy plants we buy for summer blooms and call ‘geraniums,’ are actually Pelargoniums, originally from South Africa. All of the wonderfully scented ‘geraniums’ like P. ‘Citronella,’ and this one are also Pelargoniums. Although perennial in warmer regions, we treat them as annuals if we can’t bring them inside during the winter. Most Pelargoniums are hardy only to Zone 8 or 9.
Species Geraniums are hardy to Zone 5 or 6, with smaller leaves and less showy flowers. These plants are native to North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Perhaps you’ve grown ‘Rozanne’ hardy Geranium or G. ‘Birch’s Double.’ Their flowers have a somewhat different form than a true Pelargonium.
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The first of summer’s perennial Geraniums bloom alongside the last of winter’s Hellebores last May.
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Many Pelargoniums are considered herbs. Leaves may be used in tea or cooking, and often they are grown for their essential oils. Sometimes the leaves or oils may be used medicinally, as is the case with P. odoratissimum. Branches work beautifully in a vase. The foliage is long-lasting and holds its fragrance. Dried leaves and flowers may be kept in a drawer to scent its contents.
These wonderful plants can take full sun, and like many herbs, don’t need a great deal of water. In fact, their most common cause of failure is over-watering and soggy soil.
They are generally pest-free and grow enthusiastically, once established. Stem cuttings will root in moist sand or soil in summer.
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rose scented Pelargonium
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If you’ve not yet grown Pelargoniums, I encourage you to give them a try. Whether they give you blossoms, or not, they will fill their space with beauty and fragrance.
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Forest Garden 