I don't like them in the garden but I often have them in pots. I have a greenhouse which I don't heat in winter but still have trouble keeping them. This year I managed to over winter one for the first time. I can't have them in the house as I can't stand the smell. Any tips. By the way lovely photos folks.
The only ones that have survived in a cold garage are some scented ones. I overwinter them on window sills and conservatory and I’ve never felt any smell unless I rub a leaf between my fingers.
I love the ‘Geranium’ smell - I have various hand and body creams with the fragrance in - usually combined with other oily botanicals like Lavender. The essential oil in geraniums/Pelargoniums has reported healing benefits, including anti-inflammatory, plus insect-repellent properties.
I understand that the leaves and flowers of the scented Pelargoniums are edible, but obviously check for yourself before trying #healthandsafety!
Re the I.D.s - many of the plainer-leaved annual Pelargoniums are often not named in garden centres etc. and will probably be difficult to identify. I find that nurseries and plant fairs etc usually give the variety names. The plants may not survive the Winter, as really cultivated to be annuals. I find the scented ones sometimes survive if brought inside to a cool, light room or shelter. I look forward to buying new ones each year - it’s a Spring ritual for me.
I've never been a fan, I am also from an East European country and when I was a kid, everyone had them. For me, it always has been that boring plant with ugly leaves and weird smell that old people grow. But my husband loves them, they remind him of his grandma and he likes the smell. And I've learnt that I can overwinter them (or at least some of them) outside here. So I grow them for my husband and because they are easy and useful. But I can't say I love them.
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Viva Carolina close-up.
Evka
Re the I.D.s - many of the plainer-leaved annual Pelargoniums are often not named in garden centres etc. and will probably be difficult to identify. I find that nurseries and plant fairs etc usually give the variety names.
The plants may not survive the Winter, as really cultivated to be annuals. I find the scented ones sometimes survive if brought inside to a cool, light room or shelter. I look forward to buying new ones each year - it’s a Spring ritual for me.