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There
are over 200 species, with names like Almond, Apple, Apricot,
Chocolate-Mint, Cinnamon, Coconut and Lime to stir not only
your memories, but also your nostrils and taste buds. There
are over 50 varieties with a rose fragrance. Unlike most plants,
the scent of pelargoniums is found in the leaves, not the
flowers. Lightly brushing the leaves, or even the effect of
direct sunlight, will provoke the fragrance.
In the magical realm all species of geraniums are protective
in the house or garden, but rose geraniums, with their highly
fragrant leaves, are especially favored for use in protection
sachets or to be placed around the entrances to a home.
Scented geraniums are only hardy outside in zones 9 and 10
(they are native to South Africa). All other zones must grow
them as an annual or tender perennial in pots and winter them
indoors in a south-facing window where, even there, they will
need at least four hours of direct sunlight a day or a minimum
of 15 hours of artificial light.
The botanical name, pelargonium, is from the Greek
word, "pelargos", meaning "stork" and
refers to the plant's long, narrow seed capsule that resembles
a stork's bill. An old homespun name for the herb was "storksbill".
Other than needing protection from the dark, cold days of
winter, scented geraniums are a robust plant once you've set
the stage. They must be in full sun in well-drained soil -
the quickest way to kill a scented geranium is to over-water
it - and pests or disease rarely bother them. When planting,
loosen the surrounding soil with a spade or fork and add a
good mix of fresh compost, sand and/or peat moss to improve
drainage. They are supposed to be deer-resistant, although
we've found this not to be the case on Pender Island. It is
possible to grow them from seed, but they thrive better from
rooted cuttings.
Although scented geraniums have been used as astringents and
even as a remedy for dysentery, the herb is not used medicinally
by modern herbalists. Some folks claim that they can cure
a headache by washing the head with geranium vinegar, but
there's no evidence that this is anything but a placebo cure.
Recently though, the growth of cancerous tumors in human and
animal cell cultures has been inhibited by geraniol, one of
the principal compounds of rose geranium oil.
Rose
geranium essential oil makes a very effective insect repellent,
especially for mosquitoes, but the oil should be heavily diluted
in a carrier oil or a water-based gel before applying directly
to the skin.
In the kitchen, scented geraniums cast a lovely flavor and
aroma into jellies, ice creams, sorbets, butter, cakes, biscuits,
punches, liqueurs and salad dressings. As with bay leaves,
scented geranium leaves are not eaten, but removed before
serving. To impart the flavor of whatever scented geranium
you choose to your cake, simply line the cake pan with the
leaves before pouring in the batter.
Here's an easy recipe for an:
Herbed Butter with Geranium Leaves
· ½ lb. of slightly softened butter
· 1 tsp. each of fresh, chopped chives, parsley and
thyme, or herbs of your choice
· ½ tsp. of fresh, chopped scented geranium
leaves (the lemon scented variety is particularly good in
herb butter)
Mix the herbs into the butter and chill a little before serving.
It's really the ornamental and aromatic qualities of scented
geraniums that make them a hit. Their beauty and fragrance
can fill a house in winter with a summer ambience. The dried
leaves and flowers make lovely sachets and potpourris. The
French learned long ago that it was cheaper and just as effective
to use rose geranium oil in perfume instead of expensive rose
oil. The next time you need finger bowls at a dinner party,
try using lemon scented geranium leaves instead of lemon slices.
Here's a recipe for:
Scented Geranium Potpourri
·
4 cups of dried lemon and/or lime scented geranium leaves
· 2 cups of mint scented geranium leaves
· 2 cups of rose scented geranium leaves
· 3 Tbsp. of orrisroot or ½ cup of dried and
crushed patchouli leaves
· 2 Tbsp. of dried coriander
· 2 Tbsp. of clove buds
The
last three components are fixatives. Mix all the ingredients
well. Place them in an airtight jar and keep in a dark place,
stirring or shaking occasionally for a couple of months to
blend thoroughly before using.
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