Types of Scented Geraniums

Spice Scented

• The round-shaped leaves on an “Old Spice” geranium emit a spicy aroma. This variety grows to a height of 12 inches and a spread of 6 inches. The gray-green foliage of “Fragrans” is nutmeg scented. It reaches a height of 10 inches and a width of 12 inches. Both geranium plants produce white flowers that bloom in 1¼-inch-long rambling clusters.

Fruit Scented

• The orange-scented leaves on “Prince of Orange” are small and round. This cultivar reaches 12 inches tall and 8 inches wide. It displays mauve flowers borne on racemes 1¼ inches across. As its name suggests, “Apple Scented” geranium bears leaves that exude an apple fragrance. This variety yields round, pale green leaves and 1¼-inch trailing clusters of white, star-shaped blossoms, each growing to just ¼ inch long. “Apple Scented” reaches a height of 10 inches and a spread of 2 feet.

Cedar Scented

• The large-lobed leaves on “Copthorne” release a strong, cedarlike aroma. This cultivar sports 3½-inch-long bunches of mauve blossoms fringed with purple. The three-lobed leaves on “Clorinda” are cedar scented, and the rosy-pink flowers, which grow in 3-inch clusters, emit a eucalyptus fragrance. Both geranium plants reach up to 20 inches tall and 10 inches wide.

Mint Scented

• “Peppermint Lace” produces pungent, peppermint-scented, gray-green leaves with a velvety texture. White flowers grow in 1½-inch clusters on this 18-inch-high, 10-inch-wide geranium plant. The curly leaves on “Rollisson’s Unique” emit a minty aroma. Magenta blossoms with a touch of white and deep-purple form 3-inch-long racemes on this variety, which reaches a height of 18 inches and a width of 8 inches.

Rose Scented

• “Attar of Roses” bears three-lobed, rose-scented leaves on geranium plants reaching 2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. The mauve flowers grow in 1 ¼-inch-long clusters. The rough-textured leaves are rose scented on “Dr. Livingston,” also known as “Skeleton Leaf Rose.” This cultivar grows to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide, and its pale lavender blossoms are borne in clusters of just ½ inch across.

Growth and Care

• Geraniums prefer sites exposed to full sun as well as some partial shade during the hottest hours of the day. They grow best in well-drained, average to organically rich soil. Only light fertilization, if any, is necessary. Bloom time for scented-leaved geraniums is in summer; they may be dug up and brought indoors during winter. Large-sized varieties require pruning twice a year -- in the beginning of September and at the end of November. Propagation is by stem cuttings. Insects, such as white flies, spider mites and mealy bugs, can be eliminated by spraying plants with a heavy stream of water from a garden hose.