FoodFood InformationHerbs&Spice
GERANIUMS (Pelargonium species).
Of the many different kinds of geraniums, those that are best suited forthe herb garden are the scented leafed species and varieties. Most of thesehave small flowers in clusters and interestingly textured leaves that releasea distinctive fragrance when pinched or bruised.
Rose geranium (P. graveolens) has slightly hairy, deep green, lobedleaves, with each of the 5 7 lobes again divided and toothed. Their fragranceis pungent, spicy, and somewhat rose like. The leaves are used frequentlyin making potpourri, jelly, and custards. Flowers appear in clusters of5-10 and are rose colored or purple with pink veins, but generally theyare not showy.
Lemon scented geranium (P. crispum) has small, crinkly leaves whichcan be floated in finger bowls, used in potpourris, or dried in bunchesand hung in closets to give clothes and linens a fresh, lemony scent. Theplant grows to about 2-3 feet high and has small lavender flowers. Orangegeranium ('Prince of Orange') has larger and broader leaves than the lemonspecies. It is shrubby and has white flowers with a black spot on the upperpetals. P. crispum 'Variegatum' is peach scented and has small crinkledleaves mottled with yellow. The flowers are lavender.
Lime-scented geranium (P. nervosum) grows into a bushy plant withround, somewhat ruffled, light green leaves that have toothed margins. Theirlavender flowers are abundant and showy.
Nutmeg geranium (P. fragrans) is a branching, rather bushy plantwith small, roundish, gray green leaves. It bears small white flowers withpink veins.
Apple scented geranium (P. odoratissimum) has trailing stems up to1 1/2 feet long that are clothed with roundish, ruffled leaves. White flowersgrow in fluffy clusters.
Peppermint geranium (P. tomentosum) has large 3-5 inches wide-attractivelylobed leaves. The plants are rather tender but will spread to 5 or 6 feetin warm climates. Small white flowers appear in fluffy clusters. This varietymakes a good hanging basket plant.
Almond scented geranium 'pretty Polly' has attractive, light greenfoliage and large silvery pink flowers with dark crimson spots.
An apricot smelling variety (P. scabrum 'M. Ninon') is a large shrubwith shiny, dark green leaves and showy carmine red flowers with darkermarkings.
Coconut scented geranium (P. grossularioides) is a low growing, trailingplant with dark green, rounded leaves. It bears clusters of tiny, rosy redflowers.
Filbert scented geranium ('Schottesham Pet') makes a low (l foothigh) 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 boxesand bring them indoors during the winter. They thrive indoors and may evenbloom if placed in a window that will provide enough sunlight. In mild winterareas, 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 inhanging containers. In coastal areas plant geraniums in full sun, but wheresummers 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'tlet them dry out completely). As a rule, geraniums planted in the gardenneed 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, andremove flowers as they begin to fade to encourage more bloom. You can startnew plants from seeds or stem cuttings.