I have always loved geraniums for the intense color on some varieties and for the foliage. But tell me about fragrance, pls.
My turn. Scented Geraniums....so talk to me...
Nery - Last year after someone had blessed me with one of these at our Mid-Atlantic get together I decided I just HAD to collect some more of these. Maybe it would be different if I could plant them out doors but having to keep them in pots bringing them in and out - for me it's not worth it. The rose scented ones are nice...and if I recall the citrus (orange and lemon) did smell close to their name. These are like Rosemarys etc though in that, at least IMHO, you don't catch their scent unless rubbing or brushing against their leaves. I'm sure their forms differ from one kind to another...my "vicks" one keeps a pretty little bushy form with variegated leaves...very pretty actually (happy to share cuttings if you'd like) but the others I had seemed to get leggy. Maybe it was my lighting for them???? Not sure. So helpful...aren't i?
C, that is very helpful. If I run into a scented one I will get it, but doesn't sound like I need to look under every rock for one. As for legginess, I think they just all do that at some point or another. I went to the Hobbs nursery link that somebody provided and was amazed by the variety but I don't need another obsession.
I was really into these plants back in college in Gainesville. It's one of those things that if I came across I would buy again, but I agree with Vossner that I don't need any more obsessions! One great thing about the scented geranium that is the origin of "citronella"- it's nice to have around to rub on your skin as a natural repellent. It's not really practical if you don't have tons of the plant around to pick all the time, but it's kind of a coversation piece, too.
Hobbs nursery was the one I purchased some from some time back....maybe it was the ones I picked. The musk didn't smell like musk...another was a type of spice....I don't know they were just oddly scented but very healthy in their little 2" pots.
How odd, I just stumbled across this thread. Around the end of Nov, I got one of the scented geraniums in a trade. I have tried for years to turn a blind eye to the scented geraniums. But although this cutting is small, the fragrance is large. It is a chocolate mint geranium and is delightful.
I think regarding the fragrance, it will only be if you are a touchy, feely gardener. The leaves have to be brushed for the fragrance. I've also noticed that apparently the fragrance is not as strong when the soil moisture level is higher.
I am tossing it around and not sure this is another plant tangent I need to go off on... What have you decided?
hiya pod. Going to the Hobbs Nursery website put me over the edge. I sent them an email and they didn't respond. I wonder if they're off season. Had they responded I would have probably bought some, but they haven't so....I haven't gone off this tangent yet.
I'm still thinking about geraniums in general because they're so cheerful but for now I will wait until the go on sale and get me a few. That choc. one sounds like fun. Pod, do go ck out the Hobbs site, if nothing else, for the eye candy fix
Hmmm Chocolate Mint eh? Love the smell of my reg chocolate mint outside during the summer...ahhhh Peppermint Patties yum-mee
http://www.hobbsfarm.com/
what enabler worth his/her salt doesn't provide a link?? go to the zonals, they're AWESOME
Who YOU callin' an enabler....huh? ROTFLOL In my defense I did provide a link in a dmail...must not have been your's eh? LOL
HUGS!!! ^_^
Nope, not Peppermint Patties ~ more like Andes mints. MY fav! 8 ))
The regular geraniums are cheery but when our sultry summer heat arrives they have always become comatose. If I manage to nurse them thru the summer months, they seen to perk up. Partially why I am reserved on the scenteds. Seems I saw a list of scented geraniums that do better in heat. Need to see if I can locate it. Off to Hobbsfarm. Thanks ~ I hope...
I have a rose-scented geranium and I absolutely love the fragrance! It grows outdoors right by my living room window, so all I have to do is rub my hands against a few leaves and enjoy the perfume...
F4F, I didn't know they were reppellants, that's great to know! So how do you use it, just rub some leaves against your skin? That's going to come in handy in summer!
Rob- yes, just rub it on your skin. However, it is my understanding that it is the "lemon" or citrus variety that is attributed to that "citronella" term. If you are interested in a very effective bug repellent "herb", and for that matter- quite an "aromatic" plant, try growing pennyroyal. The scent is crisp and clean. For that matter, mints are great plants in general that grow so easily and can not only please our nose, but clear it!!!!! (i.e. fresh peppermint)
Well, I went to Hobbsfarm and must say they have some nice plants. But Lord have mercy they are in MAINE! They are probably frozen solid by now... their email probably doesn't even flow. LOL I am always reserved about importing plants from the frozen tundra climates to the delightfully sweltering south. Seriously, I do look for better adapted southern plants. I have rarely seen scented geraniums in the local garden centers and greenhouses beyond the old "mosquito plant". Made me wonder if they don't do well here. I finally found the list of southern garden or container varieties and will try to locate some of them if I should expand my scented geranium interest.
I did find where you can make scented geranium sugars for use in teas or baking. Chocolate mint ~ Yum.
Pod, the zonals do well here. I have 2-3 that I recognized from the website. As to them being in maine, surely they have a greenhouse. But I certainly understand your reservations. That is why I don't consider Logee's because I am convinced their northern grown tropicals can't stand my weather, but that's just me.
Maybe Hobbs is closed. still never gotten a response to my email.
hahah, F4F, didnt think of this...If I rub myself with the rose scented one the mosquitoes might want me even more, lol!
Some of us trade scented geraniums (pelargoniums). Just sayin . . .
Oh yeah...trading is WONDERFUL!!
Chantell, do you have Jasmine outside in the Summer? I have a South deck and I want to put some plants on it but it is full sun and I must be careful. Bouganvillea and Mandevilla I know will be o.k. Had them there last year. Along with my blueberries...yes, I have two blueberry plants in pots I am having a fun time with. I had seven berries last year. Just about a mouth full. I was so proud. I raised them from tiny plants and it is like heaven to me to be able to pick them. I am a silly old lady.
I put the orchids and the brugs on the east deck but that is smaller, I made a mistake making that smaller for sure, anyhow, they do well out there. I am concerned about the scented geraniums and the jasmine. I will appreciate your suggestions. I do know some of them do not bloom
By the way, I have the Pink Jasmine, or Jasminum polyanthum and it has not bloomed for me. I was thainking of sitting it out in the south deck this summer. Any thoughts about why it does not bloom. It is three feet tall and in a big pot and grows like a weed. It is so viney but no blooms. Thanks for your help. Back to the bird cage cleaning. .
LOL...sounds like you have all sorts of pretties!! Let's see there are 4, I think, that are IN the ground:
Jasminum x stephanense (Stephan's Jasmine)
Jasminum officinale
Gelsemium sempervirens (although unsure if this one "made" it)
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Confederate Jasmine)
Now I'm not sure if these are hardy up your way or not but these are the ones I had in the ground at least a year. Some in sun - others in part sun depending on the jasmine. The Stephan's Jasmine seems to do REALLY well...I'll know better about blooming though this spring/summer...but it's putting on all kinds of growth.
The rest of my jasmine DO get put out on the deck...between the heat and the humidity here...they're in heaven and put on all kinds of growth once outside. Maid of Orleans being one that doesn't care for the sun as much as they others do.
Re. legginess... just keep chopping them back! I have some out of control ones that will get a serious pruning when they go outside this summer. I love them. The fragrance just fills the house after I've been watering (and brushing against them).
Oh God, the wind is blowing like 45 to 50 mph...everything outside that is not protected is really taking a beating. Why does this happen now. I get so frustrated. Grumble Grumble. JB
Yeah we've got a tornado watch apparently...yet I'm looking outside and everything is calm - hmmmm "calm before the storm?"
The rain has stopped. Wind is calm for now. That only lasts so long this year. I hate wind. Had to gather up a few pots and twigs but now it is getting warmer and very foggy. I am off for the bloodwork results so I hope the fog lifts before the next half hour. Talk to you all later if I can find my way back. LOL
Chantell, did you make out o.k. with the weather yesterday?
Ahhhh just sprinkle the bread crumbs behind you, JB...LOL. Yeah...our warnings/watches didn't amount to anything...I don't even recall the wind being all that bad really. All the babies in the ground surely rec'd a good watering though...and how!!!
I got back o.k. did not need the breadcrumbs. LOL Now they are saying we are to have more storms this afternoon and tomorrow. I think this may drive me to drink. JB
LOL just make sure you're doing that AFTER you run errands and use something other then the bread crumbs - they may not hold up to rain...LOL