Scented pelargoniums are great garden plants. Not only do they produce colourful flowers,
aromatic smells and interesting leaf shapes, they have many uses. Some can be used in cooking,
others for pest control and some for potpourri. Pelargoniums were originally from South Africa.
They are hardy and can tolerate dry conditions. Often confused with geraniums. Although closely
related, pelargoniums differ from geraniums in their flower structure.
- Apple - Pelargonium odoratissimum
Small plant with white flowers in spring and summer. Compact in shape, releases apple scent when watered.
Leaves can be baked with fish.
- Chocolate Mint - Pelargonium hortorum
May smell like rose, spice or citrus. Named Choc Mint for their habit of partial browning of leaves
from spring to summer. It has large lobed leaves with a dark blotch in the centre.
Well drained, fertile soil. Full sun to partial shade, (evidentially shows frost tolerance). 0.5m tall by
1m wide.
- Ginger - Pelargonium nervosum
Low growth 0.5m, spreading 1m. Full sun to partial shade. Prefers well-drained fertile soil.
Drought tolerant. Flowers are lilac-pink in spring and summer.
- Citronella - Pelargonium citrosum
Grows to one metre, spreading branches. Large deeply lobed leaves which can be rubbed onto the skin to
repel mosquitoes. Pink to lavender flowers.
- Mable Grey Pelargonium var Mable Grey
Intensely lemon scented shrub to 2 m. Lobed leaves which are excellent for potpourri.
Insect repellent properties. Pink flowers in winter and spring. Drought tolerant, and prefers
well-drained soil and full sun.
- Nutmeg - Pelargonium fragrans
Small shrub which flowers over many months. Good for rockeries and garden edges. Slightly lobed, grey-green
leaves with small white flowers from spring to autumn. Less drought-tolerant than most pelargoniums.
- Oak Leaf - Pelargonium quercifolium
Also known as Almond pelargonium. Large shrub to 2 m, sticky pungent leaves (cinnamon incense smell) with dark centres.
Lilac-pink flowers in spring.
- Orange - Pelargonium crispum Prince of Orange
Small, soft leaves, compact shrub and pleasant orange scent.
- Peppermint - Pelargonium tomentosum
Spreading plant to 80 cm high. Large leaves with distinctive peppermint smell. Flowers normally white.
Place a few leaves at the bottom of a cake tin and pour chocolate cake mixture on top.
- Rose-lemon - Pelargonium radula
Very small, serrated sticky leaves. Small shrub. Great in pots.
- Rose-scented - Pelargonium graveolens
This is a perennial that grows to 1 m. The oil from the leaves is used to make perfume. Soft hairy
leaves and small mauve flowers.
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