Scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.), which are herbaceous perennials native to South Africa and grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, release potent fragrances from their leaves. The over 200 officially recognized cultivars are divided into groups based on their scents. Compared to real geraniums, scented geranium blossoms are smaller and lack aroma. Many fragrant geraniums give food, sugar, syrup, and hot tea flavor.
Are all geraniums fragrant?
Although geraniums (pelargoniums) generally have fragrant leaves, some types are especially so. The variety of scents is incredible and includes strawberry, lemon, ginger, and rose.
Both the flowers and the foliage can be used to flavor beverages, desserts, and jellies.
The best part is that scented-leaf geraniums are quite simple to grow. However, keep in mind that throughout the winter they must be moved to a location free from frost.
How can you tell a fragrant geranium apart?
A group of species in the enormous Pelargonium genus that have leaves that release a perfume when touched or lightly injured are referred to as “scented-leaved geraniums.” These plants belong to the broad category of what are commonly referred to as “garden geraniums” or “annual geraniums.”
Despite having a common name, it’s crucial to understand that this entire group is distinct from the many cranesbill geraniums, sometimes known as “real geraniums,” which are the plants that have the most legitimate claim to the name Geranium. The plants referred to as garden geraniums were previously a part of the genus, but even after they were given their own genus, Pelargonium, in 1789, the common name has endured.
The aroma is produced by glands at the base of the leaf hairs of scented-leaved geraniums (Pelargonium spp.). The oil and smell are released when the leaves are crushed or, in some circumstances, only touched. The scented pelargonium geranium’s leaves closely resemble those of other pelargoniums seen in gardens. Shapes range from rounded to delicately carved and lacy, and the colors range from gray-green to lime green.
The majority of scented geraniums have small flowers, some of which are extremely gorgeous and others which you hardly notice. Two larger upper petals and three smaller lower petals make up each flower’s five petals.
Which variety of geranium is ideal?
Your Garden’s Best Hardy Geraniums
- Plant named “Brookside” (Cranesbill)
- Plant named “Elke” (Cranesbill)
- Plant named “Mavis Simpson” (Cranesbill)
- “Orion” geranium (Cranesbill)
- Gardenia patricia (Cranesbill)
- Rosane geranium (Cranesbill)
- Pink “Sweet Heidy” geranium (Cranesbill)
Which geranium has the strongest scent?
This hybrid P. x scarboroviae, also known as “Countess of Scarborough” or “Lady Scarborough,” has a pleasant, fruity aroma that makes me think of a Strawberry Shortcake doll I owned as a child.
It was first introduced in England before 1820 and has been around for at least 200 years.
The medium-sized, light pink flowers have a dark pink splotch of color on half of their petals. The plant grows to a height of two feet and a width of one foot.
It is suitable for rock gardens or planting along walls because it is hardy in Zones 9 to 12 and has a somewhat trailing habit.
Why are the leaves on my perfumed geraniums yellowing?
Having too much moisture or overwatering is one of the most frequent reasons of yellowing leaves. Geraniums typically have yellow leaves at the bottom when they are overwatered. They could also get water patches that appear pale. If so, you should cease watering right away so that the plants can dry off. Remember that geraniums do not like excessive amounts of water and are drought-tolerant plants.
Geranium yellow leaves can also occur when the water or air are too cold. Since geraniums prefer warm climates, they struggle in cool climates. Geraniums with yellow leaves can be caused by prolonged cold weather, particularly cold, wet weather, or by cold snaps in the spring.
Additionally, a nutrient deficit could be the reason why the geranium leaves turn more yellow than green. Every third watering or once a month, geranium plants should be treated with a comprehensive, water-soluble fertilizer (ideally one with micronutrients). Geraniums’ yellow leaves can be avoided using fertilizer, and the plant will grow larger and produce more blooms as a result.
A geranium with yellow leaves sporadically indicates the presence of a disease. Verticillium, for instance, is a fungus that can result in stunted growth, withering, and brilliant yellow leaves.
What about the yellow-edged geranium leaves? Dehydration or a lack of water are frequently blamed for geranium leaves that have yellow margins or yellow tips. Geraniums require some water even though they can withstand drought. In these situations, you can use your fingers to feel the soil to gauge how dry the plants may be and water accordingly. Trimming the yellowing growth off might also be beneficial.
You can see that geraniums with yellow leaves often only require a little tender loving care in order to recover. If you provide a geranium with what it need, the leaves won’t turn yellow.
Geraniums smell, but why?
Through small glands on the underside of the leaves, the geraniums disperse their fragrance. A fragrant oil will be emitted after rubbing or touching these. The plant contains essential oils that, among other things, have an antibacterial effect and lessen couching. Read more about the various smells’ various effects on people on the plant-specific pages.
Do fragrant geraniums keep mosquitoes at bay?
Despite what the labels on the citronella or lemon-scented geranium “Mosquito Plants” marketed at big-box stores suggest, the plants don’t actually keep mosquitoes away. The oil found inside the leaves is what has the mosquito-repelling qualities. To obtain these oils, you would have to crush the leaves. You would then need to apply these oils to your skin. It won’t do anything to keep mosquitoes away if you plant them in your landscaping.
How are scented geraniums overwintered?
Scented geraniums’ lovely scent should be all around you. These fragrant plants, which belong to the genus Pelargonium, are relatives of the common garden geranium. Numerous fragrant geraniums are heirloom plants that have endured over time because of gardeners who took cuttings and shared the fragrant offspring. Like other fragrant geraniums, rose geranium produces fragrant oils in its leaves. Scented geraniums are attractive flowers that are simple to grow. Green, blue-green, and variegated tones can all be seen in the leaves as they unfold. Give plants a position in full sun, fertile soil, and well-drained soil. Provide protection from the harsh afternoon sun in southern locations.
Temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for scented geranium growth. Plants are stressed by higher temperatures, so when the summer heat comes, be sure to give them enough moisture.
Grow aromatic geraniums in pots or garden beds, such as rose geranium. Due to their lack of winter hardiness, most gardeners plant these aromatic beauties as annuals. Use a commercial soil-free planting mix designed for use in pots if you’re growing fragrant geraniums in them. These mixtures offer the superior drainage that fragrant geraniums require.
It is simple to overwinter these fragrant plants, either in containers or by using cuttings. Give potted scented geraniums a place next to a light east or south window for the optimum growth if you move them indoors for the winter. Inside, plants will slenderize. Trim them as necessary to control growth.
Another method for preserving scented geraniums through the winter is to take cuttings. Cuttings of scented geraniums are more prone to decay than other geraniums from the Pelargonium genus. Cuttings should be dipped in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of home bleach and 4 drops of liquid dish soap in 2 quarts of water to avoid this. Cuttings should be let to dry overnight before planting the following day.
Scented geraniums are adaptable indoor plants. You can use fresh leaves in the kitchen or dry them out to make potpourri. Chopping fragrant geranium leaves fresh to add to cookie or cake mixes is a typical kitchen usage. Or use full leaves to line a cake pan before adding batter and baking. Slice the leaves off the bottom of the cake after baking, or leave them on and enjoy the crunchy bite. A tasty sweetener is made by layering whole perfumed geranium leaves with sugar.
Native to South Africa, scented geraniums are from the Cape of Good Hope. Scented geraniums, such as rose geranium, gained to popularity as perfume ingredients in the 1700s. In place of pricey rose attar in perfume, the rose geranium Pelargonium capitatum, sometimes known as Attar of Roses, was utilized.
In Kenya, which was then owned by the British, rose geranium farms started to appear. Although the geraniums are grown in Egypt, China, and India, rose geranium oil is still used today to substitute expensive rose attar in perfumes. 2.5 pounds of rose essence are produced from one ton of rose geranium leaves.
What distinguishes geraniums from one another?
Both zonal and seed geraniums are upright growing geraniums, but before you plant them in your gardens, you should be aware of their key differences.
1. Seed geraniums are propagated using seeds, whereas zoning geraniums are grown through cuttings. The purpose of breeding zonal geraniums, a genetically advanced plant, was to produce robust, stronger zoned leaves and shatter-resistant flowers.
2. Zonal geraniums flower and grow more quickly than seed geraniums.
3. Geraniums grown in zones are larger and taller. In comparison to the seed variety, they also produce larger flowers and foliage. A smaller, more frequent variation of the zonal geranium, seed geraniums grow to a height of under one foot.
4. To deadhead zonal geraniums, which have 4-6 inch global flower heads, you must cut off the entire bloom stalk all the way to the point where it connects to the main stem. Petal cracking is the natural process through which seed geraniums lose their blossoms. When there is a lot of wind or rain, they will lose their vibrant petals, preventing the plant from blooming for a while.
All of the zonal geraniums that we grow at Crocker Nurseries are grown in our greenhouses, and we take pride in creating what we consider to be the best geraniums on the Cape. We provide them room to expand so they can become horizontally spread out and compact rather than towering and lanky. Additionally, we only water them from the base using our Ebb and Flood watering system, which fills the benches with water and then drains it out after the plant has absorbed what it need. By watering from below, leaf spots and dangerous fungal illnesses are prevented from developing on the geranium leaves.
What two varieties of geraniums are there?
Based on the size and characteristics of its flowers and leaves, geraniums can be broadly divided into four categories. These include regal geraniums, ivy-leaved geraniums, scented geraniums, and garden or zonal geraniums. There are distinctive qualities for each variety.
The mourning widow geranium, angel geraniums, wood geraniums, and meadow geraniums are a few further popular varieties. Below, a thorough description of each sort is provided.
We leave out the countless rare hybrids that people like you and me will never have the opportunity to acquire and cultivate. We can enjoy these since they are easily accessible.
Garden Geranium
Most buyers prefer garden geraniums, which are considered to be the most common variety. The likelihood is that if you go to a nursery and ask for a geranium, you will be led to this area first.
Pelargonium x hortorum is the name of the flower in the scientific language. Due of the dark patterns of various colors, including bronze, purple, or dark green, on the flowers, it is also known as zonal geranium.
These geranium varieties are distinguished by their tall stemmed ball-shaped flowers. These blooms are available in a range of hues, including red, white, peach, salmon, burgundy, purple, and semi-colored varieties.
Dark green leaves in the shape of a fan are present on garden geraniums, and the blooms typically rise above the leaves and stems.
Despite the fact that these geraniums are renowned to be fairly resilient, you must take care of them. The simplest approach to accomplish this is to continuously removing flower clippings as soon as they start to fade.
Planting these geraniums in conditions that are a little bit dry is best. This sort of plant cannot flourish in climates that can occasionally be very hot and humid.
These geranium variants can be grown in a pot or directly on a garden bed. Whatever you decide, adding a vibrant splash of color improves the appeal of your landscape or house.
You can surely make these one of the garden’s center points with the right maintenance. Additionally, one of the plants that deters ticks is the geranium.
Scented Leaf Geranium
Gardeners love scented leaf geraniums because of the distinctive aroma they generate. Simply stroking the leaves of these geraniums will give you an idea of how they smell. They have a variety of scents, including apple, lemon, chocolate, rose, cedar, citronella, and orange.
The leaves of these geraniums can be spherical, serrated, or lacy and appear in various shapes. The fine hairs that aid in the production of the leaves’ distinctive scent give them a velvety feel.
Scented geraniums not only release a pleasing perfume but also produce lovely pink and white flowers throughout the summer.
Although the flowers are not as extravagant as those of other geranium varieties, they nonetheless offer a touch of refinement to any garden. The flower resembles a pansy because of how intensely the upper two petals bloom.
One variety of scented geranium, the citronella variety, provides a perfume that deters mosquitoes. Because of this, it is frequently bought and planted in regions where mosquitoes have a propensity to reproduce quickly.
The perfume business frequently uses other scented geraniums. Popular fragrances of this kind include Lady Plymouth, Fragrans Group, and Bitter Lemon.
Ivy Geranium
Ivy Geraniums are distinct from other geraniums because of their somewhat distinctive appearance. They have lush, glossy foliage that are attractive in any environment.
Additionally, their blossoms trail down their tiny stem rather than being upright like other flowers do. They are able to create a cascade effect as a result, emphasizing the beauty of the blooms and foliage.
Ivy Geranium varieties are excellent for windows and hanging baskets because to their trailing blossoms. They can also be utilized as garden bed borders. The optimal conditions for this type of plant are moist soils and four to six hours of direct sunlight per day.
However, take careful not to overwater the soil; for best results, wait one or two days between waterings.
These geraniums may also thrive in arid environments because of their strong leaf cuticles. The cuticles on the leaf keep it looking healthy even when it isn’t routinely watered. The plants appear to do well as long as the temperature stays below 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ivy Geraniums can benefit from fertilizers through a certain light frequency. The best option is to purchase potting soil because it already contains fertilizers.
Mahogany Ivy Geraniums, which feature vivid red and white blooms, Royal Amethyst Ivy Geraniums, which have vivid lilac flowers, and Crocodile Ivy Geraniums, which get its name from the white veins that run throughout the leaves.
Regal Geranium
The Martha Washington geranium, Lady Washington geranium, and Pelargonium are other names for regal varieties of geraniums. They thrive in chilly climates and with only partial sunlight because they are primarily indoor plants.
Regal geraniums will blossom wonderfully as long as the temperature is not too hot or cold. The big, irregularly patterned flowers that grow in tight clusters are the primary characteristic of regal geraniums.
Pink, lavender, burgundy, white, and even clear flowers are available. It is suitable for both potted plants and edging garden beds due to its big blossoms.
The regal type of geraniums thrive in rich, well-drained soils. This flower’s blooming season often begins in the middle of spring and lasts until the first frost. In order to make room for more blooms, cut the flower heads as they start to fade.
These plants may require a little bit more attention and upkeep than the others we have covered thus far. To promote more development in the spring, make sure to remove the entire bedding after a frost.
The plants don’t require frequent watering because they are rather hardy. After a few days, when the earth is quite dry, watering the plants a little will help the flowers grow better. If you need to know how to get rid of fungus gnats, do keep an eye out for them and follow our suggestions.
Angel Geranium
Although they are smaller in size, these geraniums are almost identical to regal geranium blossoms. As a result, they are able to design a formal-looking pot.
These geranium varieties stand out for their compact, bushy look and small, viola-like leaves. These can be cultivated in hanging baskets.
Mourning Widow Geranium
These geraniums feature deep violet flowers and a cluster that has just emerged, giving them a really dramatic appearance. Among the most popular varieties of this plant are Lily Lovell and Sombor. When cultivated in the same flower bed as different varieties of violets, they stand out but blend in.
Wood Geranium
Varieties of wood geranium are highly popular since they are both attractive and therapeutic. As their name suggests, these plants primarily grow in wooded areas, although they can also be grown in gardens. If they are to be grown in gardens, they must, however, be well maintained.
Wood geranium roots can be used to manufacture herbal medicine, which has a wide range of applications. Elizabeth Ann varieties of geraniums are the most popular among the several flowers of this genus.
Meadow Geranium
One of the few geraniums that thrives in cold climates is the meadow variety. They can even grow when the temperature is in the negative digits due to their extreme cold tolerance! Because of this, it is very popular in snowy areas all over the world.
The first geraniums of these particular types were discovered in Europe and Asia. It is now grown all across the globe. Additionally, even though wood geraniums thrive in cold locations, they can also flourish in hot settings.