Papa Geno's Garden Blog

This is the first of two postings on Scented Geraniums  made originally on January 22

Scented Geraniums is the fastest growing category of our little business. In their native habitat of the Cape of Good Hope, the scented geraniums (pelargoniums) are perennial, but in most of the US, they are treated as annuals or tender perennials. The leaf form is highly variable and the leaf texture can be smooth, velvety or even sticky. It is the back of the leaf that releases scent for which each geranium is named. I have personal experience with about 150 named varieties, but I am sure that there are others which I do not know.

Cultivation: Scented geraniums are well suited for growing in containers, but can also be planted in the ground. They thrive in sunny location in evenly moist soil. They are occasionally grown from seed but do better from rooted cuttings. Water them well several hours before taking cuttings. Cut “slips” 3 to 5 inches long with a very sharp knife or nurseryman’s clippers, sterilized with alcohol. The best cuttings are from a stem that “snaps.” Cut below an internode at an angle and remove lower leaves and stipules. Lay the cuttings out for 24 hours to “callus.” This stimulates the growth of new cells on the wound. Filtered light, a dry atmosphere, and no more than 70oF assures the best callusing. Placing cuttings in a frost-free refrigerator for 12-to 36 hours assures good callusing. It is not necessary to use a rooting hormone on geraniums. However, if you are going to root them in sand or soil, the fungicide contained in rooting compound may prove helpful. Stick the callused cuttings upright into the soil medium. Put this in a warm place in filtered light. In two weeks or so the cuttings will develop roots. Certain varieties do better in a rich loam as opposed to ordinary potting soil: Mint (Tomentosum), apple, apricot, strawberry, Mabel Grey. Transplant to garden if desired, adding soil amendments as necessary. Remove any leaves as they yellow.

History: These geraniums (pelargoniums) are grown for the scent of their leaves as opposed to their flowers. Native to the Cape of Good Hope, they were first introduced into Europe in the early 1600s. And by the late 1800s there were over 150 varieties described in American catalogs. In their native habitat and parts of the south, these geraniums are perennials. In most of the country, they are treated as annuals or tender perennials. Some can reach a height of four feet and the scents range from rose, pine, mint, fruity and spicy. Flowers are small. Other uses are potpourri, paper making and body care products.

Using scented geraniums

Obviously, scented geraniums are a diverse group, so it's not surprising that their uses as diverse as well. Here are some suggestions:

• Plant three of the smaller varieties in ceramic pots on a windowsill.
• Fill a large clay pot with a specimen plant of Lemon Rose on the patio.
• Combine them with flowers in a whiskey barrel.
• Tuck a mid-sized Peppermint into a shady nook in the garden.
• Plant a row of pruned Lemon Crispum as a border.
• Place a matched pair of standards or topiaries at the front door.
• Use them as backdrops or foundation plantings.

Combine them with vinca vine as an elegant hanging basket. Your imagination is the only limit, but remember to place them, indoors or outside, where you will be able to touch them and enjoy their fragrance. There are myriad uses for the fragant and flavorful foliage of scented geraniums. for some suggestions.

Culinary Uses:
Not all scented geraniums have tastes that complement cooking. Recipes call for either rose, lemon, or mint. Most often their flavors are infused into the dish and they are removed and discarded before serving, although fresh leaves can be used as a decorative garnish. The leaves are used fresh. Scenteds are typically used in sweet dishes. Rose varieties add a delicate but stimulating flavor to sugar which is then used in baked goods or to sweeten teas. Stack clean, dry leaves in a large canister between 1 inch layers of sugar. Place the canister in a warm spot for two to four weeks, and then sift out the leaves. Some cooks recommend first bruising the leaves to impart more flavor. The sugar can be substituted for all or part of the plain sugar called for in recipes for white cakes or icings. Small rose- or lemon scented leaves can also be candied by dipping them in egg white and coating them with sugar to create impressive cake decorations. Dry them on a rack before using. The leaves can be arranged in the bottom of a lined or buttered baking pan and pouring cake batter over them. Jellies flavored with rose scenteds can be used as a filling for sponge- or angel-food cake layers. Apple and crab-apple jellies are most commonly used for this purpose.

Other uses include fruit punches, wine cups, ice cream and sorbets. Use lemon and rose scented geraniums in sweet vinegar recipes, they combine especially well with lemon verbena, lemon basil and mints.

Scented Geranium Jelly

4 lbs cooking apples

3 1/2 cups water

White or preserving sugar

Juice of 2 lemons

15 scented geranium leaves

Chop the apples roughly, leaving the skin, stalk and pips. Put in a large pan with the water and simmer until soft. Strain for several hours through a jelly bag or muslin; do not squeeze the fruit pulp through or the jelly will be cloudy. Measure the juice into a preserving pan and for every 2 cups of juice add 1 pound of sugar. Add the lemon juice and the geranium leaves. Stir over a low heat to dissolve the sugar, then boil rapidly until set, for about 10 minutes. Quickly remove the leaves and pour into clean, warm jars. Cover the jars while the mixture is still hot.

My thanks to Maureen Rogers at the Herb Growing and Marketing Network for part of the above content.  See next Scented Geranium posting on this blog for additional information about caring for them.

If you are really interested in SGs, I know of one good book – Knowing, Growing and Enjoying Scented Geraniums by Jim Becker and Faye Brawner.  It is available both new and used on Amazon.com as I write this. (January 2006).

Click here to see our 140 varieties of Scented Geraniums.

Papa Geno