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THE SCENTED GERANIUMS: VARIETY AND GROWING

The scented geraniums are all hardy perennials and will grow easily and quickly from stem cuttings with a “heel” of old wood, and I have taken these as late as May with good results. All the varieties mentioned will withstand heat and dryness, and can be used as street or footpath plantings where other less hardy herbs might fail. They can also be increased by layering; but they grow so easily from cuttings that striking these is a sure-fire way to gain a good stock of new plants to give away come Christmas, or to swop with gardening friends.

Rose-scented Geranium Pelargonium graveolens A beautifully-formed plant, with a semi-trailing low-growing habit, and a slight orange cast on some of the leaves. The most delicious perfume, and a quick grower.

Lemon-scented Geranium Pelargonium limonium Large deeply cut leaves with a strong perfume, growing into a big bush which can reach 5 or 6 feet in height unless cut back hard occasionally to keep it within bounds. The tiny pinkish-mauve flowers appear in the spring. There is also a lemon-scented variety called Pelargonium crispum variegata, with a compact low habit of growth and tiny curly green leaves, paler yellowish-green at the top of each stem.

Peppermint Geranium Pelargonium tomentosum A delightfully soft velvety plant with ivy-shaped leaves and inconspicuous white flowers. It is a low grower, tending to trail about, and likes a little less sun than the others. Very easy to propagate from cuttings.

Coconut Geranium Pelargonium enossularoides Dark green rosettes of leaves from which come long horizontal sprays of deep pink flowers in spring and summer. These flowering stems lie along the soil, and where they touch, a new rosette of leaves forms to start off another plant. Soon you will have a very big patch of geranium unless you dig up the new plants and put them elsewhere. It is ideal for quickly covering banks or nature strips, and very hardy. Full sunshine and plenty of water when the flowering stems are spent will ensure better coverage by the new plants. The scent is of true coconut, slightly bitter, and should not be added to pot-pourri.

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