Scented Geraniums are among the most pleasant herbs
to grow. They come in an extraordinary variety of intense fragrances
and diverse soft leaved patterns. These include the old-fashioned
rose geraniums; lemon; lime and other fruity scents; the spicy scents
of ginger, nutmeg and peppermint; as well as pungent oakleaf and
eucalyptus fragrances.
The fragrance of scented geraniums vary from person
to person, but seldom do they disappoint. Leaf forms may be lacy,
fan shaped or divided like a pheasants foot, a crows foot, an oak
leaf, a maple leaf, a ruffle, a grape leaf or a spreading umbrella.
Textures may be velvety or sticky. In fact there are over 250 varieties.
Of these 50 to 75 are commonly cultivated. Not surprisingly, the
primary appeal of scented geraniums is in perfumery. Their essential
oils add an uplifting note to soaps, lotions and colognes.
On their own, the spreading scented geraniums make
wonderfully fragrant hanging container plants. The fruit scented
types continue to grow through the winter. Large flowered varieties
typically go dormant.
Of scented geraniums, the old fashioned sweet rose,
Pelargonium graveolens, is the all time favorite. These have woody
stems, rounded, lobed, fragrant leaves and rose pink flowers. Leaves
of rose geranium yield an essential oil similar to that of the rare
and valuable attar of roses. In France, leaves are harvested on
a large scale for distillation. One pound of leaves, when distilled,
will yield one gram of oil. This is the essential oil used in soap,
potpourri and perfume.
Some of our favorite varieties are:
P. crispum.
A lemon-scented geranium.
P. crispum 'Prince
of Orange'A citrus scent
'Prince Rupert' Lemon scent
P. X fragrans 'Nutmeg' Nice & Spicy
P. graveolons. A gentle giant, great in tea and jellies. It has a whisper of rose.
P. graveolens. 'Camphor
Rose' Leaves are velvety soft
and camphorous rose to smell.
P. g. 'Rober's
Lemon Rose' Sweetest of the rose
fragrances.
P.X limoneum. The lemon geranium is a must for lemon lovers.
P.X nervosum. The lime geranium packs a tropical punch.
P. tomentosum. Shrubby with large, velvety grapelike leaves scented with
peppermint. Sure to please children.
Planting & Care.
Plant from containers in the Spring or Fall in mild
region areas. Propagate by cuttings placed in ordinary garden soil.
They will root over winter and be ready in the Spring. They must
be protected in the winter. They make wonderful, long lived house
plants.
Harvesting and Use.
Flowers are small and for most varieties are not
very significant. The fragrant leaves are used in potpourris, and
to favor cakes and puddings. Leaves of rose geranium provide the
flavor of rose water to powdered sugar used in baking. Place one
or two fresh young leaves in a food processor with sugar and process
until finely minced. Use the sugar on fruits, in cookies, frostings,
jellies, and teas.
Rose Geranium
Tea
In a tea
pot, brew your favorite pekoe tea as usual. Add one fresh rose
geranium leaf per cup of water. A slice of orange instead of
the usual lemon makes a nice final touch. You can ice it for
the Summer Months after it is brewed.
Read our Archived Herb Articles
Coriander, Cilantro,Coriandrum sativum Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE
Lemon Balm,Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
Epazote,(Chenopodium amborsiodes)
Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
Sage,(Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK
HERE
Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK
HERE
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK
HERE
Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita
Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK
HERE
Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK
HERE
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK
HERE
Cayenne,Capsicum frutescens
Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro
Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Scented
Geranium,(Pelargonium
species)
Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida)
Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005.CLICK
HERE
Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel)
Laurus nobilis
Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK
HERE
Herbs of the Bible
Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK
HERE
Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK
HERE
Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus)Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK
HERE
Dandelion, Taraxacum
officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK
HERE
Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK
HERE
Basil,Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
Scented Geranium,
Pelargonium
species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK
HERE
Parsley, Petroselinum
sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April
2005. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK
HERE
Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005.
CLICK
HERE
Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Winter Savory, Satureja
Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November
2004. CLICK
HERE
Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September
2004. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE
Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK
HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003.
CLICK
HERE
Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003.
Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
