FoodFood InformationHerbs&Spice
GERANIUMS (Pelargonium species).
Of the many different kinds of geraniums, those that are best suited for
the herb garden are the scented leafed species and varieties. Most of these
have small flowers in clusters and interestingly textured leaves that release
a distinctive fragrance when pinched or bruised.
Rose geranium (P. graveolens) has slightly hairy, deep green, lobed
leaves, with each of the 5 7 lobes again divided and toothed. Their fragrance
is pungent, spicy, and somewhat rose like. The leaves are used frequently
in making potpourri, jelly, and custards. Flowers appear in clusters of
5-10 and are rose colored or purple with pink veins, but generally they
are not showy.
Lemon scented geranium (P. crispum) has small, crinkly leaves which
can be floated in finger bowls, used in potpourris, or dried in bunches
and hung in closets to give clothes and linens a fresh, lemony scent. The
plant grows to about 2-3 feet high and has small lavender flowers. Orange
geranium ('Prince of Orange') has larger and broader leaves than the lemon
species. It is shrubby and has white flowers with a black spot on the upper
petals. P. crispum 'Variegatum' is peach scented and has small crinkled
leaves mottled with yellow. The flowers are lavender.
Lime-scented geranium (P. nervosum) grows into a bushy plant with
round, somewhat ruffled, light green leaves that have toothed margins. Their
lavender flowers are abundant and showy.
Nutmeg geranium (P. fragrans) is a branching, rather bushy plant
with small, roundish, gray green leaves. It bears small white flowers with
pink veins.
Apple scented geranium (P. odoratissimum) has trailing stems up to
1 1/2 feet long that are clothed with roundish, ruffled leaves. White flowers
grow in fluffy clusters.
Peppermint geranium (P. tomentosum) has large 3-5 inches wide-attractively
lobed leaves. The plants are rather tender but will spread to 5 or 6 feet
in warm climates. Small white flowers appear in fluffy clusters. This variety
makes a good hanging basket plant.
Almond scented geranium 'pretty Polly' has attractive, light green
foliage and large silvery pink flowers with dark crimson spots.
An apricot smelling variety (P. scabrum 'M. Ninon') is a large shrub
with shiny, dark green leaves and showy carmine red flowers with darker
markings.
Coconut scented geranium (P. grossularioides) is a low growing, trailing
plant with dark green, rounded leaves. It bears clusters of tiny, rosy red
flowers.
Filbert scented geranium ('Schottesham Pet') makes a low (l foot
high) mounding plant with deeply cut, light green foliage and red flowers.
GROWING:
Geraniums are tender, so in cold winter areas grow them in pots or boxes
and bring them indoors during the winter. They thrive indoors and may even
bloom if placed in a window that will provide enough sunlight. In mild winter
areas, grow them outdoors all year in permanent garden plantings or in containers.
Use the sprawling kinds as a ground cover around trees or plant them in
hanging containers. In coastal areas plant geraniums in full sun, but where
summers are hot and dry they will do best in partial shade. Give them good,
well drained garden soil and keep it somewhat on the dry side (but don't
let them dry out completely). As a rule, geraniums planted in the garden
need little fertilizing unless your soil is sandy or very well drained.
Then, they may need 2-3 applications each year of a complete fertilizer.
Pale foliage or lack of new growth also indicate a need for fertilizer.
Pinch growing tips in the early stages to encourage side branching, and
remove flowers as they begin to fade to encourage more bloom. You can start
new plants from seeds or stem cuttings.