Pelargonium grossularioides

The Pelargonium grossularioides is an invitation to travel and indulge with coconut-scented leaves. Its rounded and compact habit performs well in a pot and a flower bed. From May until the first frost, it is covered with small pink flowers. In colder climates, prefer planting it in a pot so it can be easily sheltered in winter. This slightly hardy plant (-5°C in a sheltered position) is still easy to grow in sunny, well-drained soil.

From the Geraniaceae family, Pelargonium grossularioides is a species native to South Africa, specifically the southwest of the Cape. It gets its name from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the gooseberry bush. Evergreen they are dark green, rounded, with 3 or 5 lobes and toothed edges. Older leaves often have a reddish outline. They capture our attention with their coconut scent released with the slightest touch or crumpling. With a rounded habit, this bush does not exceed 50 cm in all directions. From May-June until the first frost, small pink flowers less than 6 mm wide, ranging from light pink to dark violet pink, bloom in umbels at the end of reddish stems. They consist of 2 upper petals speckled with violet and three slightly larger lower petals. This species tolerates short frosts of around -5°C in a sheltered position.

This plant with aromatic foliage is ideal for creating a fragrant flower bed or even a garden dedicated to fragrant plants. It is also perfect in a pot on a terrace or a potted garden. Stay on exotic notes by associating it with Pelargonium greytonense with a vanilla scent and Pelargonium filicifolium with a spicy scent. Add an old scented rose, 'Tuscany Superb' with dark purple flowers and a Japanese honeysuckle, 'Hall's Prolific,' for a garden with a thousand scents. The flowers of scented geraniums are edible and can be used in fruit salads, desserts, and potpourri.