I have a soft blot in my heart for the underdog , and scented geraniums ( also call pelargoniums ) are the underdog of the geranium world .
For the most part , they are n’t as showy as their cousins , the zonary or garden geranium . But what they lack in pizzazz , they make up for in gloriously scented foliage and flowers .
That ’s not to say they are n’t pretty . Though the blooms and leaf are a bit more flyspeck and less striking , they ’re still beautiful flowers to have in the garden . And oh yeah , did I forget to refer that you may eat them ?
Photo via Alamy.
We link up to trafficker to help you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our golf links , we may garner a commission .
Below are some of my favorite species and cultivar , and ones that you’re able to often find at nurseries . There are tidy sum more , though , so keep an eye out as you build your collection !
Here ’s a quick preview of all of the mixed bag forward :
15 Favorite Scented Geranium Varieties
Let ’s take a close look !
1. Angel’s Perfume Hybrid
Does n’t this intercrossed sound heavenly ? ‘ Angel ’s Perfume ’ has medium - sized dark ruddy heyday edged in pale pink and white .
The leaves and flower have a discrete lemon scent , which makes horse sense since this is a crossbreed ofP. citrosum , a botanical name collapse to works with an aroma redolent of the citron tree .
This variety stay lilliputian , growing to just a base improbable and broad . It does best in Zone 10 , or it may be grown as an yearbook in other zones .
2. Apple
As you might have surmised by the vulgar name , this eccentric has a endearing apple scent with just a hint of citrus , which lends a insidious sour promissory note .
P. odoratissimum(meaning “ highly scented ” ) does best in fond shade , and in loamy soil with medium drainage .
It has white flowers that are smaller than those of some other species , and is hardy in Zones 9 through 12 . It grows to about a foot tall and two feet wide-cut .
There are a few lovely cultivars ofP. odoratissimumto keep an oculus out for , let in ‘ Big Apple , ’ ‘ Green Apple , ’ and ‘ Fringed Apple . ’
3. Apricot
WithP. scabrum‘M. Ninon , ’ also recognise as ‘ Apricot , ’ you’re able to have the best of both geranium worlds .
It has large , vibrant blossoms and large leaf like a zonal geranium , but it also has a sweet , fruity aroma . The flush have a light pink groundwork with splashes of vivacious magenta .
This motley grow up to two foot tall and thrives in Zones 10 and 11 .
4. Attar of Roses
This cultivar ofP. capitatumhas a heady rose fragrance that is so pronounce , it has been used commercially to replace more expensive rose oil in aroma and soap .
This is a good one to grow if you want to dry out the folio and pink bloom for potpourri .
It ’s a perennial in Zones 10 and 11 , and grows to three feet magniloquent and a foot wide .
5. Cedar
The cedar odorous geranium ( P. copthorne ) has large peak than many other scented species , and it produces a peck of them .
The pink blooms have a maroon marrow on each petal , and both the blossom and the leaves have a subtle cedar scent .
Hardy in zona 10 and 11 , this plant grows to a large three feet improbable and two fundament wide when fledged .
6. Cinnamon
P.xlimoneumhas lustrous pink flowers and petite leaves , both of which sense distinctly of cinnamon .
This is one of my favorites for using in sweet . The candied flowers are phenomenal as bar topper , since they retain that cinnamony perfume .
Read more about take your own candied flush at homeon our sis site , Foodal .
Hardy in zone 10 and 11 , it grows two substructure tall and wide , and prefers full sun .
7. Citronella
Also known as the citronella , mosquito , or citrus geranium , P.xcitrosumshouldn’t be flurry with grassy plants in theCymbopogongenus .
This popular species does n’t have anymosquito - banishing properties , but it does have a similar lemony scent to citronella flora .
grow three feet grandiloquent and a metrical foot wide , this plant life is stalwart down to Zone 9 and has pretty , if petite , lilac flowers .
Scented Geranium Citronella
Burpee sells live plantsif you adjudicate you want to add one to your distance ( and frankly , who would n’t ? ) .
8. Dr. Livingstone Hybrid
Do n’t let this plant ’s other name , skeleton rose , put you off .
This plant has unique leaves that really stand out in the garden . Instead of the distinctive large , orotund leaf , P. radens‘Dr . Livingstone ’ has deeply lobed , exquisitely geld leaf .
At nurseries , you may sometimes see the name of this cultivar spelled without an “ e. ”
Once mature , this eccentric stands a full three feet tall and two feet extensive . It is fearless in zona 8 to 11 .
The scent is extremely strong , with a sweet , citrusy odor that is something like a rose and a stinker unite . And the blossom are small , with a lavender hue and deep regal spots .
9. Lady Plymouth
P. graveolens variegata‘Lady Plymouth ’ has heavy , deeply snub leaves that are salvia green on the interior , and foreground on the outside with a creamy schema .
The leaves and clear pinkish flowers smell like a pungent rosebush .
Hardy in zone 8 to 11 , this plant reaches three metrical foot tall and two feet wide when mature . As with most geranium with vary foliage , it does good in a partially sunny area .
10. Lime
Some scented geraniums have just a whisper of smell that you really have to center to detect . But notP. x nervosum‘Lime . ’
Just the smallest whiff and you ’ll know where this plant life got its name . It has a strong , sweet citrus aroma that smell like lime gusto .
It grows two feet tall and is fearless in Zones 10 and 11 , but do n’t allow its tenderheartedness deter you if you live in a colder surface area . This plant stick summary and lends itself nicely to container grow indoors in a sunny window .
The pink - white prime are insignificant . Buy this one for the extremely fragrant farewell .
11. Mrs. Taylor Hybrid
There are n’t many crimson - flowered perfumed geranium out there , butP.x ‘ Mrs. Taylor ’ is one of the few . With brilliant red blossoms and frilly , curl leave , it make a beautiful ornamental in Zones 8 to 11 .
imbed it somewhere you could brush up against the leave to get a puff of air of its musky , woodsy fragrance . In full sun , the plant grows to two feet tall – 30 inch when in bloom – and 18 column inch across-the-board .
12. Nutmeg Hybrid
This loanblend ( P.xfragrans ) smell uh - may - oomph ! You ’ll sometimes see it called ‘ Cody , ’ ‘ Logee , ’ and ‘ Old Spice . ’
It has a insidious nutmeg odour to the leaves and flowers , with blossom that are small and white with a purple heart .
This one grows to two feet magniloquent when in heyday , and a foot and a one-half wide .
13. Peppermint
P. tomentosum , also do it as the peppermint or hatful geranium , is intensely redolent . You would n’t be the first person to sniffle it and observe yourself convince that you ’ve stepped on a spate plant somewhere .
It has a low growing habit at about 18 inches tall and three feet wide-cut , so it works well as a primer coat cover , and the large leaves make a pretty garden accent mark .
The white and raspberry colored flush are fairly petite , but each plant has a lot of them .
‘ Islington Peppermint ’ and ‘ Chocolate Peppermint ’ are two cultivar worth searching out , though they can be strong to find .
14. Prince Rupert
vary ‘ Prince Rupert ’ is a cultivar of lemon geranium ( P. crispum ) . It has variegate leaves that are bright medium green with a pallid cream precis , and a hard lemon scent .
The wan pinkish blossoms are double-dyed tossed in salad , or candy to add together to desserts for a perfumed hint of lemon .
This cat does honorable in partial nuance in Zones 10 and 11 . The plant abide compendious , maturate to about 18 inches tall and wide .
15. Strawberry Hybrid
Good honest-to-goodness ‘ Countess of Scarborough , ’ or ‘ Lady Scarborough , ’ as this hybridP.xscarboroviaeis also known , has a sweet , fruity smell that cue me of a Strawberry Shortcake doll I had when I was a kid .
It has been around for at least 200 years and was first introduced in England prior to 1820 .
The flowers are average in size and pale pink , with a dark pink splash of color on one-half of the petals . The plant reaches about two feet tall and a understructure blanket .
It ’s hardy in Zones 9 to 12 and has a somewhat trailing drug abuse , making it ideal for tilt gardens or planting along wall .
There’s a Virtually Endless Variety of Pelargoniums
As you could tell , pretty much whatever your favorite scent is , there ’s going to be a genus Pelargonium that will fit the bill . When you ’re not giving your nozzle a kickshaw , these plant life are a feast for the eyes , as well .
With metal money that have deeply - lobate or colorful foliage , or those that have blossoms to equal a garden geranium , these flowers have so much to offer .
If you desire to recognize more about growing these beauts , read our odorous geranium templet .
Then , if you want to labialize out your garden with a few morefloral choice , check out these guides next :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
