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perennial

Scented Geranium

Pelargonium fragrans

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Scented Geranium (Pelargonium fragrans) at Green Thumb Nursery

Scented Geranium flowers

Scented Geranium flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  10 inches

Spacing:  7 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  9b

Ornamental Features

Scented Geranium's attractive fragrant round palmate leaves remain green in color throughout the year on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. It features bold clusters of lightly-scented white flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting.

Landscape Attributes

Scented Geranium is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep. Trim off the flower heads after they fade and die to encourage more blooms late into the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Scented Geranium is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting
  • Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Scented Geranium will grow to be about 10 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 7 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 1 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.

Scented Geranium is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Container  Basket 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color 
Ornamental Features