Geranium Blog

Pelargonium 'Abundance' - The Truest Plant Name Ever

Abundance lives up to its name in every possible way. It covers itself with blooms for a long period of time. Almost every blooms creates a seedhead. The lemon-scented foliage is thick and bushy.

I want to thank reader Jeanie for bringing Abundance to my attention. It's my favorite "new-this-year" scented geranium.

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.

Scented Geranium Purchased in Las Vegas Nursery

I was delighted to discover a scented pelargonium at the Star Nursery on W. Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV. Last year, although 2006 was the Pelargnium's turn as Herb of the Year, not a single scented geranium could be found locally. And I even found one I didn't have. I used to have it, but you know how that goes. ;)

New Scented Geraniums - Part 3 of 3

Pelargonium 'Peacock', P. x fragrans (Nutmeg), P. 'Village Hill Oak' (L to R)

This is the final group of new scented geraniums from Mountain Valley Growers.

P. 'Peacock' - Crazy splashes of cream varigation. Peacock is a rose scented geranium.

P. x fragrans - The nutmeg scented geranium is charming with small white flowers and soft grey-green leaves.

P. 'Village Hill Oak' - This is a robust plant with cute pink flowers. It is oak scented and the leaves have kind of an oak leaf look.

Pelargonium 'Peacock', P. x fragrans (Nutmeg), P. 'Village Hill Oak' (L to R)

New Scented Geraniums - Part 2 of 3

Pelargonium 'Mrs. Taylor', P. capitatum, P. 'Mint-scented Rose' (L to R)

Here is another group of new geraniums:

P. 'Mrs. Taylor' - A pungent scented geranium with nice green leaves and upright growth.

P. capitatum - A rose scented geranium. Nice round leaves with red-tipped edges. Trailing growth habit. This plant was blooming - deep lavender single flowers - when it arrived! Also called True Capitatum.

P. 'Mint-scented Rose' - This charming geranium is wildly splashed with cream variegation. Upright growth habit.

Pelargonium 'Mrs. Taylor', P. capitatum, P. 'Mint-scented Rose' (L to R)

New Scented Geraniums - Part 1 of 3

Pelargonium 'Finger Bowl Lemon', P. crispum (lemon scented), P.'Cinnamon' (L to R)

I ordered some new plants from Mountain Valley Growers. I was very pleased with what I received. The plants were in 2 1/2" pots but nice and big. The plants were all labeled with stickers on the pots.

So what did I get? Nine scented geraniums! Here is another view of the geraniums above:

Pelargonium 'Finger Bowl Lemon', P. crispum (lemon scented), P.'Cinnamon' (L to R)

P. 'Finger Bowl Lemon' - Upright plant with very tiny serrated and ruffled leaves. Strong lemon scent.

P. crispum - Upright plant with small serrated and ruffled leaves. Lemon scent.

P. 'Cinnamon' - Upright plant with small wavy serrated leaves. Cinnamon scent.

A Pelargonium Shopping Trip

Zonal geraniums 'Distinction' and 'Alpha'

Yesterday I visited two local nurseries, Plant World and Star Nursery. I wanted to see if they had any scented pelargoniums. No luck. Maybe in a couple weeks. I did find these two interesting Zonal geraniums.

New Scented Geranium Arrivals

Pelargonium 'Pretty Polly' (Almond), P. 'Variegated Prince
Rupert' (Lemon) and P. 'Upright Coconut'

Yesterday three new scented geraniums arrived by UPS. This time I ordered from Papa Geno's Herbs in Nebraska. After purchasing through their web site, shipping plans were communicated the next day. The plants arrived in good condition. Papa Geno's packing method differs from Geraniaceae's technique considerably: The plants arrived in 2.5" x 3.5" pots that were enclosed in a cardboard carrier. This carrier is placed in the mailing box and held in place with tabs cut in the box so the foliage is not crushed by pots and rootballs flopping around. The plants from Papa Geno's were smaller than Geraneaceae, but are well-rooted and healthy.

My overall impression is that this is a professional outfit that is concerned about making their customers happy.

Three New Scented Geraniums

This week I received three new scented geraniums from Geraniaceae.com. Left to right, they are P. 'Orange', P. odoratissimum (apple) and P. 'Sandalwood'. As with past experience, the service and plant quality was excellent.

If you live in the Southwest, it is time to get busy and order your mail order live plants. Soon it will be too hot for the plants to safely travel in this manner. You can find links to scented geranium nurseries on the Related Links page.

Update on the New Scented Geraniums

So how are the new plants doing a week after arrival? Here they are lined up for a group photo:

Back row: Pelargonium 'Old Scarlet Unique', P. 'Mexican Sage' (apricot), P. ionideflorum (celery), P. 'Strawberry'
Front row: Pelargonium 'Phyllis' (apricot), P. 'Attar of Roses', P. 'Clorinda' (woodsy)

Celery was blooming when it arrived and now carries a cloud of bright pink little flowers flying high above its head. I got Strawberry back in November. Its small leaves turned quite red with exposure to the cold. It is looking a bit scrawny because I took cuttings from it last week.

New Plants in the Mail

It's a great day when a package comes: Today I received a package containing six new scented geraniums from Geraniaceae.com! WooHooooo!!! Right away we opened the package and lifted their little heads up so they could get some light.

The newcomers

The new arrivals were carefully packed: Each rootball was wrapped in damp sphagnum moss and newspaper, then placed in a plastic bag. The leaves and branches were protected by styrofoam packing peanuts. UPS Ground delivery got them here quickly (California to Nevada). All looked well and happy when potted up.

Online Shopping Review: 2 Green Thumbs Up
My observation is that Robin Parer of Geraniaceae.com takes great pride and care in preparing orders. I was informed very quickly of shipping plans and everything went like clockwork. The plants are large, healthy and well-rooted. I am delighted to give Geraniaceae my highest recommendation!