Geranium Blog

Arucana Springs Into Action

Arucana is such an interesting scented geranium. It has smooth leathery leaves and really lacks that distinctive Pelargonium look. Until you get to the flowers, which are obviously Pelargonium. Arucana is a gardenia scented geranium. The scent is very light, but if you stick you head in the leaves on a hot summer day, you will get a whiff of gardenia. This is the first year I have found seed pods on Arucana - two of them!

More Lemon: Variegated Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert Variegated is a variation of P. crispum, the lemon scented geranium. It has small green leaves outlined in white. It is a bit slow-growing, but a reliable and vigorous bloomer. Look at the bottom of the picture. You an see that some of the flowers belong to P. crispum 'Minor', yet they look just alike. The flowers open pure white and then turn a soft pink.

Lemon With A Twist

P. crispum 'Minor' is named for its tiny little leaves. In spite of his delicate appearance, Minor has a strong constitution and is a reliable bloomer. This is the scented geranium sometimes called "Fingerbowl Lemon", the small leaves being floated in fingerbowls to add a refreshing lemon scent.

What A Peacock!

Cooler Weather Brings The Return Of Dark Variegation

Most of the year, my Chocolate Mint geranium is solid green. This is caused by the heat. When the weather starts to get hot, I move it to a shaded area, but it still loses its variegation. Looks like a whole different plant now.

Lavender Nutmeg showed up with a new look, as well.

The Fabulous Lavendar Nutmeg

P. 'Nutmeg Lavender' has a multitude of positive qualities: tight umbrels of double lavender blooms, a compact growth habit and self-branching ivy geranium foliage with a nice nutmeg scent. The most amazing thing is it's heat tolerance. Lavender Nutmeg has survived two Las Vegas summers on my patio in part shade and is none the worse for it.

Exuberant Red

Red Flowered Rose has a very dainty look. The leaves are very divided and the edges have a rolled look. It holds its light red flowers in little bunches. As the name implies, it is a rose scented geranium.

Pelargonium ribifolium

Geranium Blog Set For Wild Gardening Frenzy

I'm completely manic with new geranium projects this spring:

• Set up fluorescent light for rooting and seed growing
• Super tough scented geraniums - I'm developing a list of scented geraniums that gardeners in desert cities can count on. Stay tuned for these sizzling recommendations.
• My little online store is now operational. Drop by Sunshine Hill Gardens for scented geranium seeds and cuttings. I've got canna rhizomes, too!
• Scented geranium leaf gallery - 'nuff said.
• In the name of better organization, some of the articles on Scented Geraniums will be moving to the Geranium Blog over the next few days.
• And how about an update on Gracie the Grackle?
• Plus more, more, MORE preying mantids, deformed vegetables, desert tortoise antics, new scented geraniums and lovely pictures.