Pelargoniums or scented leaf geraniums are aptly described as living potpourri for the home. They are not grown for their flowers, but for their scent. Most are native to South Africa and became popular with Victorians when the colonists brought them back to Britain with them. Unlike other garden plants that are fragrant only when blooming, scenteds are fragrant all year long. The scent is contained in the small beads of oil produced in the glands at the base of the leaf hairs. Bruising or crushing the leaves breaks the beads and thus the plant releases its scent. All are wonderfully fragrant and have a distinctive smell. Outside during the summer they prefer sun or part-sun. Bring them indoors in the winter, place them in a sunny window and they make an excellent house plant plus they have delicate, lavender-pink blooms.
Botanical Name: Pelargonium ‘Lemon’ pel-ar-GO-nee-umCommon Name: Geranium, Scented geranium Geranium 'Lemon' has a sharp lemon scent and grows in a super compact shape - great to have a rub and sniff of this lemon scented geranium's leaves! Height: 30cm (12"). Spread: 25cm (10"). Care: Grow in full sun, but provide afternoon shade when temperatures rise above 90°F. It will not tolerate poorly drained soils. In containers, ensure both moisture and excellent drainage by using a good potting mix. Use a timed-released fertilizer in the soil or an all-purpose liquid fertilizer when you water. Pelargoniums like magnesium, and a teaspoon of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) added to each gallon of fertilizer solution every few watering's will adequately supply this nutrient. As with plants in the ground, place containers in full sun, but move into afternoon shade during very hot weather.
