Particularly attractive plants due to the special fragrance of the leaves and their particular appearance, which can be grown successfully both in the apartment, throughout the year, as well as in the gardens or on the terraces, from March - April to October, the fragrant geraniums are perhaps the better known for the variety with lemon scent , with repellent qualities against insects, and especially mosquitoes.

Most of the existing varieties in horticultural culture are hybrids that have as one of the parental species Pelargonium graveolens , a South African species, with the native area located in the Cape Province and the Northern Provinces of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Along with this species, other taxa used in the creation of these hybrids are represented by Pelargonium crispum, P. tomentosum, P. capitatum and P. radens.

The complete offer of geraniums from Secret Garden is available here (link).

The cultivation of fragrant geraniums was initiated in Europe in the 18th century, when the first plants arrived in England, where the creation of hybrids, originally grown for flowers, was started. However, with the passage of time, the interest of growers was captured by the fragrance of the leaves, an aspect that became much more important than the color and anatomy of the flower. Thus, the scented geraniums became highly appreciated, being given the best locations in castles and mansions, from where they spread their fragrance, covering the unpleasant odors in homes, and thus constituting the first version of indoor air fresheners, which is why their presence in the houses of the nobles it quickly became a necessity. As their culture progressed and developed, fragrant geraniums became accessible even to the lower social classes, becoming some of the most loved indoor plants.

From the point of view of cultivation and care, fragrant geraniums are perhaps among the easiest houseplants, being able to crown with success even the first horticultural efforts of the beginner amateur.

It resists dryness extremely well, usually requiring one watering per week, carried out by immersing the pot, then allowing the excess water to drain. The next irrigation is recommended to be carried out only when the substrate has dried considerably. During the winter, irrigation will be substantially reduced, the water being administered only to keep the substrate moist.

Fragrant geraniums love strong light, including during the winter, in the case of indoor growth. If they are planted in the garden, a few hours of direct sunlight are enough for optimal growth, as the plants do not appreciate exposure to excessive light radiation throughout the day. When placed in the garden, locations that heat up excessively will 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 concentration of the fertilizer will be reduced to 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer.

The impressive thing about the scented Pelargonium varieties is the huge variability of the leaf shape and color, which often makes it easier to identify the varieties even in the absence of flowers. If we appreciate that this diversity of shapes and colors is also reflected in the level of strong aromas, which vary from citrus fruits (lemon, orange), rose, cinnamon, apple, mint or even less common aromas, such as chocolate or cola , then it is easy it is understandable why every houseplant enthusiast must have at least a few specimens in his collection. Beyond the aesthetic value and the special fragrance, the fragrant geraniums are also notable for their practical, medicinal or cosmetic properties, due to the volatile oils contained in the pericarp of the leaves. Touching or even applying the leaves directly to the skin, by rubbing, will lead to the release of the oils on the skin, transferring along with the perfume including the soothing and insect repellent properties. Since the leaves of these plants are also used in the flavoring of drinks, sweets, cakes, jams and preserves, they will often lend these products their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Fragrant geranium leaves are frequently used to calm coughs.

The name of the genus (Pelargonium), which means stork in a jacket (pelargos), alludes to the shape of the fruit, which the ancients likened to a stork's beak. The species name, graveolens, refers to the strong fragrance of the leaves.

The fragrant hybrids known so far are the following:

• P. 'Graveolens' (or Pelargonium graveolens hort.) - a rose-scented variety, 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 species and this cultivar is represented by the degree of division of the leaf lobes. The botanical species has 5 leaf lobes, and the cultivar has 10.
• P. 'Citrosum' - a cultivar of fragrant geraniums with a citrus, lemon flavor, similar to P. 'Graveolens', with well-known insect repellent properties, and particularly appreciated for repelling mosquitoes. Although there are rumors that this plant has been genetically modified by inserting genes from the species Cymbopogon citratus (citronella), this aspect is very improbable, rather consisting of an "urban myth".
• P. 'Cinnamon Rose' – a cinnamon flavored variety of P. graveolens .
• P. 'Dr Westerlund' – a hybrid of P. graveolens with lemon and rose aroma, very similar to P. 'Graveolens'.
• P. 'Graveolens Bontrosai' – a genetically modified hybrid of P. graveolens , with small and posteriorly twisted leaves, with frequent flowering, where the flowers do not fully open. In the USA it is known as P. 'Colocho'.
• P. 'Grey Lady Plymouth' – Hybrid with lemon and rose aroma, similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth', but with grey-green leaves, which offer an impressive contrast in a layer or in a planter cultivated with more varieties of fragrant geraniums.
• P. 'Lady Plymouth' - a dominant scent of mint and vaguely rose , the taxon showing strong similarities with P. graveolens , stands out for its popularity due to its minty aroma, being a hybrid of P. radens.
• P. 'Lara Starshine' – cultivar of P. graveolens , with lemon and rose fragrance , similar to P. 'Graveolens' but with a much more intense citrus aroma, and with pink-reddish flowers, was grown by the horticulturist Australian Cliff Blackman.
• P. 'Lucaeflora' – The strong rose perfume, which in the case of this hybrid of P. graveolens is not accompanied by the citrus aroma, as well as the resemblance rather to the botanical species than to the other horticultural varieties make this taxon rise to the top of collectors' preferences.
• P. × melissinum – a pelargonium with the aroma of Melissa officinalis (lemon), is a hybrid between . P. crispum and P. graveolens .
• P. 'Mint Rose' - the perfume combines notes of rose and mint in the case of this P. graveolens hybrid, which is very similar to P. 'Lady Plymouth', but without the well-known variegation and without its lemon aroma.
• P. 'Secret Love' - the unusual aroma, of eucalyptus , is the ultimate argument in the decision to choose this P. graveolens hybrid that has pale pink flowers.
• P. 'Van Leeni' – a hybrid with lemon and rose aroma of P. graveolens , similar to P. 'Graveolens' and P. 'Dr Westerland'.

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