About Scented Geraniums

Which is the correct name Scented Geranium or Scented Leaf Pelargonium? Answer: Scented Leaf Pelargonium The confusion regarding the correct name for this group of plants has ensued for over 200 years and still creates raised eyebrows amongst many gardening purists.  For most people it is easier to remember Scented Geranium than it is Scented Leaf Pelargonium and this is why it has proven so difficult to change folks way of thinking and remembering.  After all how many people understand Latin?!!  And this is another reason why the name Scented Geranium continues.  For many saying, spelling and remembering the name Pelargonium is just too much. This is why we decided to name our website www.scentedgeraniums.co.uk it's easier to remember and as most of you search the internet using the words Scented Geranium it ensures that you find us.  We apologise to the Purists but business is business and we do our bit throughout our website to use the correct nomenclature (name). The most important thing is that as many people as possible do rediscover this amazing group of plants as they really are versatile, enchanting and it's always a joy to behold a person's surprise when they smell the leaves for the first time.

Attar of Roses just a few of our Parent plants being overwintered in our polytunnel

Crispum Variegatum cut back for overwintering this will make the plants much bushier by the Spring

A Scented Geranium is a plant for all seasons with its luscious foliage and demure flowers. It will enhance your garden from late May through to October, or throughout your home year round.    Unlike other groups of Pelargoniums the Scented Leaf's secret and beauty is in the leaves which emit an enticing fragrance ranging from rose, mint, fruit, nuts and many more.     Each variety has its own unique qualities and scent, have a read through the plant descriptions in our Catalogue.   Listing is in an alphabetical format so please do scroll down the page.   2010 Catalogue

A selection of 'smellie pellie's' + Begonias centre

Brush by or crush a leaf and the aromatic oils are released and fill the air with sweet fragrance bringing about a sense of calm, joy and relaxation.   Herbs    All SLP's are classified as herbs and the leaves may be used in recipes, herbal and cosmetic preparations, as a sensory aid, or simply as a beautiful plant to be admired and enjoyed on a sunny windowsill in the home.  Excellent in containers and hanging baskets or planted directly in the garden during frost free months - recommended late May and lifted towards the end of September in the UK and Ireland.

Clorinda

 

History Natural Habitat Scented Leaf Pelargoniums are members of the Geraniaceae family; i.e. geranium, erodium and pelargonium.  The latter group is mostly native to South Africa although a few species occur naturally in Australia, Eastern Africa, New Zealand, the Middle East, the Islands of Madagascar, St Helena and Tristan de Cuhna.  Scenteds should not be confused with the perennial geranium genus, which are hardy plants found in North America and Europe.   Pelargonium Genus Includes annuals and herbaceous perennials, shrubs and sub-shrubs, evergreen and deciduous plants.  Most Scenteds are succulent perennial shrubs in their natural habitat.   Growing Habits Vary enormously.  Ranging from upright and erect, semi-trailing and branching to low growing ground cover.    Scent Classification Generally there are 5 categories, which are citrus, fruit and nut, mint, rose, pungent.  Interestingly, scents are subjective and what one person might smell another would smell something completely different.    Early History First known recorded pelargonium in cultivation was in, Herbal : Gerarde : 1663.  Tradescant had flowered ' Geranium indicum nocte odoratum' in 1662 and by 1668 the plant was catalogued at the Botanic Garden at the University of Leyden.  It wasn't until the latter part of the 17th Century that collections of living plants were sent back to Holland and by 1668 only 1821 Species were listed as being grown at the Botanic Gardens.  This included only one Pelargonium Species.  By 1686 the number had risen to ten pelargoniums and from that time forward their place within European gardens were guaranteed. By 1724 a further eight new Species had been recorded at the Chelsea Physic Garden and amongst these were Odoratissmum the apple scented and Vitifolium which has a balm scent.  However, who is attributed to having brought these to England and when is unknown as their introduction to the UK was never recorded.