Pelargonium Lemon fancy

The scented Pelargonium 'Lemon Fancy' is a lemon-scented shrubby geranium that stands out for its powerful lemony fragrance. It produces an abundance of pretty single flowers, light pink with a fuchsia centre, that appear to float above its beautiful evergreen foliage, which is finely cut. The plant forms a compact and upright bush. This variety is renowned for repelling mosquitoes, making it valuable for window sills and flower pots. Grow it in full sun, in well-drained soil. It can only be planted in the ground in our mildest regions, where it is not affected by frost.

The 'Lemon Fancy' Pelargonium is a variety dating back to 1979, originating from different botanical species endemic to the southwestern province of the Cape in South Africa. This perennial shrub belongs to the geranium family. Its upright and compact habit is supported by rigid, sturdy, sparsely branched stems, allowing the plant to reach a height of 60 cm (24in) with a spread of 40 cm (16in). The entire plant emits an intense fragrance reminiscent of citronella essential oil. Its highly ornamental foliage consists of small, round, medium green leaves that are thick, strongly veined, quite rigid, divided into 3 lobes, with serrated edges, and are 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) wide. The flowering, which is very abundant, takes place from June to September, with flowers consisting of 5 soft pink petals, the upper two of which are marked with fuchsia spots. The throat is burgundy red.

With just a gentle touch, the 'Lemon Fancy' Pelargonium releases a powerful fragrance that repels mosquitoes, while also displaying a delightful summer flowering. These are all reasons to adopt it in a pot on the windowsill. So plant it, in a pot or in the ground, in a place where you can...touch and admire it, along a pathway or in a large pot on the terrace or veranda. Lemon-scented geraniums are precious for perfuming a room, where they delight us with their sometimes unexpected and wonderful scents. One day after the rain, we stopped in front of a bed of fragrant geraniums and immersed ourselves in a symphony of delicate fragrances. In mild climates, this is a plant that can withstand summer drought and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for dry gardens, by the seaside.

Try flavouring a recipe with lemon-scented pelargonium flowers, it works! The edible leaves are used in fruit salads and potpourri.