Pelargonium nervosum Cola Bottles

The Pelargonium 'Cola Bottles' develops foliage with an astonishing and realistic Cola scent. It more precisely evokes a reminiscence of Cola bottle-shaped sweetss. It is a fragrant geranium with dark green, trilobed, undulate, and dentate leaves. In summer, light pink flowers bloom, two petals veined with purple. Over time, the plant forms a small, evergreen bush with a very upright habit, and its scent is perceptible with the slightest touch. It blooms from June to September. Grow it in full sun, in well-drained soil, as it is sensitive to excess water. Growing it in the ground is only possible in mild climates, spared from frost.

The Pelargonium 'Cola Bottles' belongs to the geranium family. It is a variety resulting from the hybrid Pelargonium x nervosum, itself descended from the botanical species Pelargonium crispum. 'Cola Bottles' is a woody and perennial bush with a rounded habit, sensitive to frost but resistant to water scarcity. Its habit is supported by stiff, strong, and minimally branched stems, allowing the plant to reach about 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) height with a spread of 50 cm (20in). The entire plant emits a very pleasant scent, evoking Cola. Its foliage consists of small, round leaves divided into 3 lobes, undulate, with serrated edges, and villous. Their colour is dark green. Flowering occurs from June to September, with clustered flowers counting 5 pale pink petals, two veined with purple.

Plant the Pelargonium 'Cola Bottles' in a pot or in the ground, where you can touch and admire it, along a pathway or in a large pot, on the terrace or in the conservatory. Scented geraniums are precious for perfuming a room, where they delight us with their sometimes unexpected and wonderful scents.  In very mild climates, it is a plant that perfectly withstands summer drought and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for dry gardens by the seaside.

The plant's leaves are often used in perfumery to extract an aromatic essence, while in England, the flowers are picked to add flavour to jellies. You can also try using scented pelargonium flowers to add flavour to your recipes. The leaves are also edible and can be used in fruit salads and potpourri.