Seasonal | Discovering a love for scented pelargoniums

Starting a new series that will flow through the seasons. Always nature inspired, and how that creates niche obsessions in me.

This month it seems I’ve fallen down a geranium scented rabbit hole. I can’t get enough of these beauties. In particular I’m in love with Pelargoniums which are the scented leaf variety. I adore their wild straggly nature, and the smell oh the smell of the velvety leaves when you brush them. The flowers are beautiful too, not like the geranium pom pom head, but more delicate on slender stalks.

The hunt and a chance encounter

I have a dream to own a greenhouse full of scented geraniums. One day! In the meantime I’m hunting down species I love.

It was my birthday last week, and my mum wanted to know what to get me. I knew it had to be a pot of Pelargonium Ardens. A scented leaf variety with tall flowering stems of vibrant red. My mum and I searched the web looking for a plant, but sadly they were all out of stock.

So, here’s the funny thing. On my birthday it rained, all day. So when Dan and I were driving back from lunch in Somerset, I said lets grab a cup of tea and cake at Iford Manor cafe. We sat eating a chocolate brownie and cuppa watching the rain fall. Just before we left I spotted a rack in the corner of the courtyard where there was a few shelves of plants for sale.

You never guess what was there! TWO tiny scrappy cuttings of Pelargonium Ardens! I couldn’t believe it. Needless to say I bought them and they are now being nursed back to health at home. Fingers crossed they produce blooms soon! Fate, destiny, stars aligning. Birthday dreams coming true. Such a great feeling.

Looking after my pelargonium

So, I’ve got my plant, what do I do with it? To be honest, they are pretty easy to look after.