Plants particularly attractive due to the special scent of their leaves and their unique appearance, which can be successfully grown both indoors throughout the year and in gardens or on terraces from March – April until October, scented geraniums are perhaps best known for the variety with a lemon scent, with repellent qualities against insects, especially mosquitoes.
Most of the varieties existing in horticultural culture are hybrids that have as one of the parental species Pelargonium graveolens, a South African species, with the native range located in the Cape Province and the northern provinces of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Alongside this species, other taxa used in creating these hybrids are represented by Pelargonium crispum, P. tomentosum, P. capitatum, and P. radens.
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The cultivation of scented geraniums was initiated in Europe in the 18th century, when the first plants arrived in England, where the creation of hybrids began, initially grown for their flowers. Over time, however, the interest of growers was captured by the scent of the leaves, an aspect that became much more important than the color and anatomy of the flower. Thus, scented geraniums became highly appreciated, being given the best locations in castles and mansions, from where they spread their fragrance, covering unpleasant odors in homes, thus constituting the first form of indoor air fresheners, which is why their presence in noble houses quickly became a necessity. As their cultivation progressed and developed, scented geraniums became accessible even to lower social classes, becoming some of the most beloved indoor plants.
From the point of view of cultivation and care, scented geraniums are perhaps among the easiest houseplants, being able to successfully crown even the first horticultural efforts of the beginner amateur.
They tolerate drought extraordinarily well, usually requiring watering once a week, done by soaking the pot, then allowing the excess water to drain. The next watering is recommended only when the substrate has dried considerably. During the winter period, watering will be substantially reduced, with water given only enough to keep the substrate moist.
Scented geraniums love strong light, including during the winter period when grown indoors. If planted in the garden, a few hours of direct sun are enough for optimal growth, as the plants do not appreciate excessive light exposure throughout the day. When placing in the garden, locations that overheat excessively should be avoided, and the reference temperature range for their growth is 16 – 25 ℃.
For fertilization, balanced formulas will be used, with monthly administration, but the fertilizer concentration will be reduced to 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer.
Impressive in the varieties of scented Pelargonium is the huge variability of leaf shape and coloration, which often facilitates the identification of varieties even in the absence of flowers. If we appreciate that this diversity of shapes and colors is also reflected in the strong aromas, which range from citrus (lemon, orange), rose, cinnamon, apple, mint or even less common aromas, like chocolate or cola, then it is easy to understand why every houseplant enthusiast should have at least a few specimens in their collection. Beyond the aesthetic value and distinctive fragrance, scented geraniums also stand out for their practical, medicinal, or cosmetic properties, due to the volatile oils contained in the leaf hairs. Touching or even applying the leaves directly to the skin by rubbing will release the oils at the skin level, transferring along with the scent also the calming and insect-repellent properties. Since the leaves of these plants are also used to flavor drinks, sweets, cakes, jams, and preserves, they often lend their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to these products. The leaves of scented geraniums are frequently used to soothe coughs.
The genus name (Pelargonium), which means stork in a jacket (pelargos), alludes to the shape of the fruit, which the ancients likened to the beak of a stork. The species name, graveolens, refers to the strong scent of the leaves.
The scented hybrids known so far are the following:
- P. 'Graveolens' (or Pelargonium graveolens hort.) – a variety with a rose scent, probably a hybrid between P. graveolens and P. radens or P. capitatum. This cultivar is often incorrectly identified as the botanical species Pelargonium graveolens. The main difference between the species and this cultivar is represented by the degree of division of the leaf lobes. The botanical species has 5 leaf lobes, while the cultivar has 10.
- P. 'Citrosum' – a cultivar of scented geraniums with a citrus, lemon scent, similar to P. 'Graveolens', well known for its insect-repellent properties, and especially appreciated for repelling mosquitoes. Although rumors circulate that this plant was genetically modified by inserting genes from the species Cymbopogon citratus (citronella), this aspect is very unlikely, rather consisting of an “urban myth”.
- P. 'Cinnamon Rose' – a variety of P. graveolens with a cinnamon scent.
- P. 'Dr Westerlund' – a hybrid of P. graveolens with a lemon and rose scent, very similar to P. 'Graveolens'.
- P. 'Graveolens Bontrosai' – a genetically modified hybrid of P. graveolens, with small and twisted leaves, frequent flowering, where the flowers do not fully open. In the USA it is known as P. 'Colocho'.
- P. 'Grey Lady Plymouth' – Hybrid with a lemon and rose scent, similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth', but with grayish-green leaves, offering an impressive contrast in a bed or in a planter cultivated with several varieties of scented geraniums.
- P. 'Lady Plymouth' – a dominant scent of mint and a hint of rose, the taxon showing strong similarities with P. graveolens, noted for its popularity due to the mentholated aroma, being a hybrid of P. radens.
- P. 'Lara Starshine' – a cultivar of P. graveolens, with a lemon and rose scent, similar to P. 'Graveolens' but with a much more intense citrus aroma, and with pink-reddish flowers, was bred by Australian horticulturist Cliff Blackman.
- P. 'Lucaeflora' – The strong rose fragrance, which in this hybrid of P. graveolens is not accompanied by a citrus scent, as well as its closer resemblance to the botanical species than to other horticultural varieties, make this taxon rise to the top of collectors' preferences.
- P. × melissinum – a pelargonium with the scent of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), it is a hybrid between P. crispum and P. graveolens.
- P. 'Mint Rose' – the fragrance combines notes of rose and mint in this hybrid of P. graveolens which is very similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth' but without the well-known variegation and without its lemon scent.
- P. 'Secret Love' – an unusual eucalyptus scent is the ultimate reason to choose this hybrid of P. graveolens which has pale pink flowers.
- P. 'Van Leeni' – a hybrid with a lemon and rose scent from P. graveolens, similar to P. 'Graveolens' and P. 'Dr Westerland'.
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