Pelargonium denticulatum Filicifolium

The fern-leaved Geranium, is a very unique variety of geranium with foliage that resembles that of a fern or wild asparagus. It reveals a spicy and balsamic fragrance when touched or when it's warm. Its summer flowering in small umbels of lavender-pink flowers speckled with purple is quite charming. It should be grown in full sun, in well-drained soil, and pruned to maintain its compact habit. It can only be grown in the ground in our mildest regions, unaffected by frost.

The fern-leaved Geranium, 'Filifolium', is derived from the Pelargonium denticulatum, a botanical species that has become rare in its natural environment. This species is found in a very small region located in the southwest of Cape Town, South Africa, growing on the slopes of mountains and near river ravines. 'Filifolium' is a beautiful cultivar, highly aromatic, with foliage that is even softer and finer than the typical species. The plant has an upright bushy habit and branched stems that lignify over time. This variety reaches a height of 60 cm (24in) and a spread of 40 cm (16in). Its remarkable foliage is composed of greyish-green leaves, finely incised with heavily dentate edges, slightly sticky to the touch, and strongly aromatic, combining the scent of pine resin with a hint of rose. Flowering takes place from June-July to September, in the form of small umbels bearing delicate pale lavender-pink flowers, perhaps less spectacular than those of classic perennial or annual hybrids, but more authentic. The two upper petals, marked with two red spots, give them a refined appearance.

With a simple touch, the fern-leaved Geranium releases a powerful fragrance, and at the slightest glance, it entices passers-by to touch its surprising foliage. So plant it, in a pot or in the ground, in a place where you can touch it, along a pathway or in a pot on the terrace or veranda. Scented geraniums are precious for perfuming a room, where they delight us with their sometimes unexpected and wonderful scents. We once came to a halt, after a rainfall, in front of a bed of scented geraniums and spent a long time immersing ourselves in a little symphony of delicate fragrances. In mild climates, it is a plant that tolerates summer drought quite well and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for dry gardens.

Try flavouring a recipe with the scent of the fern-leaved Geranium, it works! The edible leaves are used in fruit salads and potpourri.