Scented Geraniums: Another Fragrant Beauty
Did you know that there are more than 100 varieties of scented geraniums in with interesting varieties such as mint, rose, apple, apricot, nutmeg, lemon, orange, lime, ginger, cinnamon and coconut?
These are not the mass produced geraniums you see in every garden center in the spring. Those geraniums also known as zonal geraniums display a beautiful array of flowers in many colors, but they are not fragrant. Though both are called geraniums they are actually from the family called Pelargonium. A true geranium, though related, is a hardy perennial and a totally different plant. You can read more about hardy perennial geraniums here: http://gardenmatter.com/cucko-cranesbills-fascination-hardy-geraniums/
You may be familiar with a scented geranium known as the mosquito plant or Pelargonium citrosum. This plant can usually be found at most big box stores and nurseries in the summer. Some claim it wards off pests but in reality, it does not contain citronella oil; it just has a citronella-like scent.
Scented geranium are known to get leggy and should be pinched back to encourage a bushy shape. I’ve read that they can be trained as a standard which I think would be beautiful and may even try training one myself. In the meantime I enjoy rubbing the leaves as I walk by and enjoying their wonderful scent.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Scented geraniums are wonderful. I suspect there is about as much chance of people actually starting to call them pelargoniums as there is of people starting to call amaryllis by their correct name, hippeastrum.
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