Pine Scented Leaf Geranium – Pelargonium denticulatum – Inside/Out – Quart Pot

Pelargoniums or scented leaf geraniums are aptly described as living potpourri for the home. They are not grown for their flowers, but for their scent. Most are native to South Africa and became popular with Victorians when the colonists brought them back to Britain with them. Unlike other garden plants that are fragrant only when blooming, scenteds are fragrant all year long. The scent is contained in the small beads of oil produced in the glands at the base of the leaf hairs. Bruising or crushing the leaves breaks the beads and thus the plant releases its scent. All are wonderfully fragrant and have a distinctive smell. Outside during the summer they prefer sun or part-sun. Bring them indoors in the winter, place them in a sunny window and they make an excellent house plant plus they have delicate, lavender-pink blooms.The Pine Scented Geranium has ferny leaves that are deeply divided; leaves are more rigid that other scented geranium varieties. Foliage has a balsam-like scent. They bloom sporadically with cute little clusters of lavender-pink flowers. Another scented geranium that would make for an interesting addition to a mixed garden border, adding texture and fragrance. Easily defined with its finely dissected fern-like leaves this geranium is quite delicate to look at. To keep this plant and its woodsy fragrance in check be sure to prune it back regularly to keep it bushy and healthy.