Growing Herbs

Of the many different kinds of geraniums, those that are best suited for the herb garden are the scented-leafed species and varieties. Most of these have small flowers in clusters and interestingly textured leaves that release a distinctive fragrance when pinched or bruised.

Rose geranium (P. graveolens) has slightly hairy, deep green, lobed leaves, with each of the 5.7 lobes again divided and toothed. Their fragrance is pungent, spicy, and somewhat rose-like. The leaves are used frequently in making potpourri, jelly, and custards. Flowers appear in clusters of 5-10 and are rose colored or purple with pink veins, but generally they are not showy.

Lemon-scented geranium (P. crispum) has small, crinkly leaves which can be floated in finger bowls, used in potpourris, or dried in bunches and hung in closets to give clothes and linens a fresh, lemony scent. The plant grows to about 70-100cm high and has small lavender flowers. Orange geranium (Prince of Orange') has larger and broader leaves than the lemon species. It is shrubby and has white flowers with a black spot on the upper petals. P. crispum 'Variegatum' is peach-scented and has small crinkled leaves mottled with yellow. The flowers are lavender.

Lime-scented geranium (P. nervosum) grows into a bushy plant with round, somewhat ruffled, light green leaves that have toothed margins. Their lavender flowers are abundant and showy.
Nutmeg geranium (P. fragrans) is a branching, rather bushy plant with small, roundish, gray-green leaves. It bears small white flowers with pink veins.

Apple-scented geranium (P. odoratissimum) has trailing stems up to 50cm long that are clothed with Peppermint geranium (P. tomentosum) has large 8-14cm wide—attractively lobed leaves. The plants are rather tender but will spread to 150-200cm in warm climates. Small white flowers appear in fluffy clusters. This variety makes a good hanging basket plant.
Almond-scented geranium 'Pretty Polly' has attractive, light green foliage and large silvery pink flowers with dark crimson spots.

An apricot smelling variety (P. scabrum 'M. Ninon') is a large shrub with shiny, dark green leaves and showy carmine red flowers with darker markings.

Coconut-scented geranium (P. grossularioides) is a low growing, trailing plant with dark green, rounded leaves. It bears clusters of tiny, rosy red flowers.

Filbert-scented geranium ('Schottesham Pet') makes a low (30cm high) mounding plant with deeply cut, light green foliage and red flowers.

Geraniums are tender, so in cold winter areas grow them in pots or boxes and bring them indoors during the winter. They thrive indoors and may even bloom if placed in a window that will provide enough sunlight. In mild winter areas, grow them outdoors all year in permanent garden plantings or in containers. Use the sprawling kinds as a ground cover around trees or plant them in hanging containers.

In coastal areas plant geraniums in full sun, but where summers are hot and dry they will do best in partial shade. Give them good, well drained garden soil and keep it somewhat on the dry side (but don't let them dry out completely). As a rule, geraniums planted in the garden need little fertilizing unless your soil is sandy or very well drained. Then, they may need 2-3 applications each year of a complete fertilizer. Pale foliage or lack of new growth also indicate a need for fertilizer. Pinch growing tips in the early stages to encourage side branching, and remove flowers as they begin to fade to encourage more bloom. You can start new plants from seeds or stem cuttings.

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