« New Master Gardener Project Starting at Women's Shelter | Main | A Rhododendron Caveat Emptor »
December 14, 2007
Pelargonium: Useful Houseplants
Master Gardener Column 12/8/07
If you are you looking for an unusual but useful gift for those gardeners on your shopping list, a favorite of mine fits the bill. Commonly called “scented geraniums,” I discovered after doing a little research that they aren’t really geraniums at all but rather pelargoniums which are the horticultural kissing kin of geraniums. The “Martha Washington Geranium” is a pelargonium. However, I wouldn’t suggest that anyone purchase a Martha Washington because although a beautiful plant, it smells like dead fish. It wouldn’t be a wise buy if anyone has cats, but it would be useful for a guest bedroom, especially if house guests have outworn their welcome.
I initially discovered this beautiful and useful plant while I was working in the greenhouse at the Arboretum. On a lark I purchased a pelargonium at one of the Arboretum’s Christmas plant sales because unlike the Martha Washington it smelled so wonderful. A rose scented geranium with beautifully soft leaves, it is called ‘Attar of Roses,’ and eventually has small lavender flowers. It is grown commercially in Africa and France for its oil, which is used for perfume in the cosmetics industry. With its rose scent, it is a good choice for creating sachets and potpourri.
Most of the pelargoniums or scented geraniums are natives of South Africa where there are more than 250 varieties. Because of the highly scented leaves they are used in South Africa as a deterrent to cattle. Many cultivars have been developed, but the most popular scents found in gardens are Apple, Coconut, Lemon, Old Fashioned Rose, and Peppermint. Some of the cultivars I have found include Pine, Orange, Oak Leaf, Cinnamon, and Ginger. Although labeled with a variety of familiar scents, some scents often differ depending on the person doing the smelling. I have found the lemon, rose, peppermint, and pine to be the strongest and most likely to be identified as such by everyone.
The scent is contained in beads of oil found at the base of small plant hairs on the leaves. Just brushing them or rubbing a leaf releases the scent. In addition, these plants are interesting because their leaves come in many shapes and textures. Also, the flowers which come in many colors bloom several times throughout the season.
In addition to creating sachets and potpourri the leaves are edible and can be used for food, particularly in salads. Some of the things that I have made include a rose geranium cake, sorbet, tea, and rice. They are wonderful for hosting an afternoon tea.
Care of these plants is very easy. The only thing to keep in mind is that they are frost sensitive. I grow them in pots outside in the summer. I prune them severely in the fall and bring them in for the winter (outside temp 45F), where they continue to grow and add a wonderful aroma to any room. They like moderate water, but if they get too dry, the leaves tend to yellow and fall off. If the plants are given too much water, they are more prone to diseases and a weak, soft growth. Unlike many other houseplants the white flies don’t seem to like them. They like good air circulation and sunlight for optimum growth.
Propagating from plants is very easy. Most sources suggest a soil-less propagation environment with a firm (not woody) stem cutting with 3 nodes. When I have many cuttings from pruning, I often use water for propagating. I find it is slower, but it still produces healthy roots for me. No rooting powder is needed. They do best at about 70F.
A few varieties can usually be found at our local nurseries in the herb section, but if more unusual scents are desired, they need to be ordered from catalogs.
Good sources are:
Papa Geno’s Herb Farm www.papagenos.com 402-794-0400
Hobb’s Farm www.hobbsfarm.com 207-763-4606
Mountain Valley Growers www.mountainvalleygrowers.com
There is also a wonderful little book with great photos of the flowers and leaves, called Scented Geraniums: Knowing, Growing, and Enjoying Scented Pelargoniums by Jim Becker & Faye Brawner, published through Interweave Press in Loveland, Colorado.
Loni Shapiro is a Master Gardener volunteer. Dana Prom Smith, a Master Gardener volunteer, is coordinating editor for the Master Gardener Column. He can be contacted at stpauls@npgcable.com. For more information about the Master Gardener Program, call Hattie Braun, Coordinator of the Master Gardener Program, at 774-1868 ext.17 or visit our Web Site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu.
Posted by maxmaddy at December 14, 2007 8:39 PM