Honeysuckle COttage

These are the fragrance mimics of the plant kingdom. From citrus scents such as lemon and lemon sherbert. lime, and orange, to pure rose, fresh apple, apple pie, apple cider, an array of spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and stunning coconut, cool peppermint, fresh carrot, and shaved cedar wood, these amazing little shrubs release their fragrance at a touch. Just watering these plants in your garden releases a pot pourri of refreshing scents.

The heyday of scented geraniums was the early nineteenth century when many species were brought into England, often by sailors as well as collectors. Scented geraniums (botanically pelargoniums) with their incredible range of true-to-name leaf fragrances became the delight of nineteenth century gardeners who hybridised and collected them as an enthralling hobby. They were grown in gardens, in greenhouses, and on windowsills. Just as the taste for things Victoriana has returned, so too has an appreciation of scented geraniums.

Scented Geraniums are so easy to grow and, originating largely from South Africa, are drought resistant. They prefer full sun, although the handsome velvety large leafed Peppermint geranium is at its best in light, broken shade with moderate water. Plant them in large pots on balconies and beside entrances where they will release fragrance when you pass by, grow smaller varieties in pots on sunny kitchen windowsills, or grow scented geraniums in the ground in the herb garden, in borders, and low growing forms like 'Apple Cider' as edgings for paths.

Some varieties, such as the graceful 'Coconut' geranium, 'Apple' geranium, 'Apple Cider, 'Nutmeg', 'Tutti Frutti', and 'Old Spice' geraniums, as well as the 'Peppermint' geranium, are very well suited to hanging baskets. Their endless variation of form, leaf shape, and texture, as well as fragrance make them particularly useful in landscaping, and while never particularly large, the flowers are often abundant and can be brightly coloured such as those of 'Pretty Polly' and 'Scarlet Pet', and very appealing such as those of 'Lime' and 'Lemon Tart'. It would be perfectly possible to create a very pleasing and interesting garden, or a garden in containers, with nothing but the scented geraniums. By the way, the plants that we offer are really well established, large, and 'hardened off', not little tubeline plants.

Use the fragrant dried leaves in pot pourri, in sweet bags, and in sleep pillows. The fresh leaves of scented geraniums are non-toxic (although too tough in general to be nibbled), and can be used as a garnish for cool drinks, desserts, and platters of fresh fruits, as well as to flavour delicious herbal jellies. Try simmering a handful of rose geranium leaves with apples before preparing apple jelly in the usual way. Scented geraniums such as Rose, Old Fashioned Rose, Attar of Rose, and Mint Rose are ideal for this purpose, and the flavoured apple jelly is delicious when spread on fresh scones, pikelets, sponges or hot toast. Add a rose or lemon scented leaf to the teapot when making tea and serve it hot or cooled and poured over ice.

After baking a sponge and while it is still a little warm, place it on a plate lined with scented geranium leaves. Vanilla sponge on rose, lemon, or lime geranium leaves is a delicious combination, as is chocolate cake on peppermint geranium leaves. The warmth of the freshly baked cake draws up the fragrance.

Apple P. odoratissimum A beautiful, soft, clear light green, low mounding plant with sprays of tiny white flowers and a pure strong Granny Smith apple fragrance in the frilled leaves. This variety is ideal for growing in containers, hanging baskets, or in the garden.		$8.50
Apple Cider syn.Cody P. x fragrans A neat and delightful little shrub rather like the Nutmeg Geranium to look at but having small, frilled, grey- green leaves with the most delicious fragrance of sweet apple cider which is very refreshing to the senses. Rare. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Attar of Roses P. capitatum cv. Intensely fragrant of damask roses, this is a gently sprawling plant to 80cm. Rare. The essential oil extracted from this variety is used in the perfumery industry. It has small pink flowers in posy-like clusters.		$8.50
Batey's Capitatum Easily recognised by the way the rounded leaves are arranged so evenly to either side of the stem, this variety has a strong rose geranium fragrance and a neat habit ideal for pots. The flowers, borne in clusters are quite large and a striking bright rose in colour. Rare. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Camphor Rose syn. Camphorum P.graveolens cv. A marvellous scented geranium with a refreshing combination of red rose fragrance with sweet camphor and mint. The leaves are deeply incised and the bush is upright growing to 80cm. Rare.		$8.50
Chocolate Mint One of the great favourites forming a low mounding plant with handsome, large, softly furred and lobed leaves each with a large deep chocolate coloured blotch in the centre. The flowers are delicate and white. Excellent in large pots if space is limited.		$8.50
Citronella A mosquito repellent in a leaf! Intensely citronella-scented, with attractive much divided leaves. This variety is often planted around patio and outside areas, or the leaves are rubbed over hands and arms. It forms a dense neat shrub to 1m.		$8.50
Clorinda A number of Scented Geraniums are very attractive flowering shrubs and Clorinda (together with Pretty Polly) are perhaps the most spectacular. Clorinda has been called "forest scented" and "eucalyptus scented. Certainly it has a woodsy fragrance. It produces many spectacular large heads of warm cerise pink flowers and forms a very healthy, strong but not lanky bush. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Coconut P. enossularioides This graceful dark purple-green, mounding low bush with sprays of tiny pink flowers has the most delicious and unmistakable scent of fresh coconut released at the slightest touch. It is a delightful plant for a hanging basket or garden edge.		$8.50
Concord Lace or Schottesham Pet and Filbert This famous old variety which dates to the 1820s has abundant frilly soft green deeply divided foliage and in spring equally abundant clusters of gorgeous bright scarlet red flowers with contrasting black feathering radiating outward along the petals. The leaves have a scent resembling hazelnuts.. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Crowsfoot P. radens Named for the fancied resemblance of the deeply incised leaves to the footprints of a crow in snow, this is a handsome bush to around 90 cm with dense foliage, a spicy woodsy scent, and attractive pink flowers.		$8.50
Dark Lady A big-leafed, velvety textured, darkest green variety with an equally dark and richly peppermint fragrance. It grows to around 90 cm high.		$8.50
Dr. Livingstone syn. Skeleton Rose P. x asperum This variety has finely cut, deep green foliage. The perfume is of roses and mint, and the dried leaves are excellent for making sweet bags and pot pourri. It is one of the great classics of the 19th century conservatory. The bush is well clothed and grows to around 70 cm.		$8.50
Dwarf Rose P. x asperum A neat low growing shrub with soft grey-green leaves very strongly scented of red roses. It is a must for the fragrant garden pot pourri. Suitable for growing in a container as well as the garden. Rare.		$8.50
Endsleigh P. quercifolium x P. capitatum This old variety has the soft frilled leaf of its rose scented parent with a handsome purple blotch inherited from the oak-leaf parent. The scent is sometimes rose and spice, other times peppery and spicy. A particularly handsome low growing scented geranium.		$8.50
Fair Ellen Pelargonium quercifolium cv. This cultivar originated in the 1840s in England, and is erect growing to approximately 80cm. The leaves are large, oak shaped, dark green with a large deep maroon brown blotch in the centre, and sticky to the touch. The handsome flowers are larger than most scented geranium, and are a bright magenta pink feathered with purple on the upper petals. Temporarily unavailable		$8.50
Fingerbowl Lemon P.crispum var. minor A very neat and highly attractive plant to 80 cm, ideal for growing in large pots as well as in the garden, with lots of tiny frilled fanlike leaves, intensely fragrant of fresh lemon arrayed along the entire length of each stem. The leaves were floated in fingerbowls in Victorian times. It lends its delicious fragrance to long cool summer drinks, if the leafy stalks are used as swizzle sticks. It adds intense fresh lemon fragrance and charm to buttonholes (ideal for weddings as the leaves do not wilt), posies, and herbal arrangements. Include a few stems in a posy of flowers to give to a sick friend as it is so refreshing to the senses. Temporarily unavailable		$8.50
Ginger or Torento P.torento This is a rare variety of scented geranium forming a neat handsome shrub, well clothed in fan-shaped dark green leaves with an unmistakable scent of spicy ginger. It is suitable for growing in a larger container and grows to 85cm.		$8.50
Lady Plymouth This charming and showy old variety of the rose scented species P. graveolens has deeply lobed and finely cut grey-green leaves that are variegated on the edges with silver to cream. The flowers, borne in clusters, are smallish and lilac-pink. The foliage has a lovely rose scent. It should not be confused with another variegated variety Variegated Peppermint which has an unmistakable strong peppermint fragrance.		$8.50
Lara Nomad P. x citronellum A neat upright growing plant to around 80 cm with attractive large single lavender flowers and medium sized, bright green, fan shaped leaves that are very strongly lemon fragrant. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.95
Lavender Nutmeg Ivy Geranium Ivy geraniums are usually scentless, and are grown for their cascading habit which is ideal for hanging baskets, large pots, and spilling over walls in sunny areas, and for their almost continuous profuse flowering. This ivy geranium amazes everyone, having all the virtues of its breed including delightful abundant lavender flowers, but in addition has the unmistakable nutmeg fragrance in its leaves. Rare. Temporarily unavailable		$9.50
Lemon Rose P. graveolens var citrata A rare, soft leafed, lower-growing variety with beautifully incised leaves like snowflakes, striking rosy flowers, and distinct delicious lemon and rose perfume. It grows to 80cm.		$8.50
Lemon Tart P. x cironellum A neat upright bush to around 70 cm with prolific, small, lime green, frilled and fan shaped foliage with an intense fresh lemon sherbet fragrance. It has prolific, very pretty, orchid-like lavender flowers. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.95
Lime P. x nervosum Stunning! This is a charming, neat, upward growing bush to 1.0m with prolific and lovely large lilac flowers. The small dark green fan-like leaves are intensely redolent of fresh Tahitian limes. It is excellent for growing in a larger pot. We use it to float on summertime punches. It is the perfect garnish for many summer punch or dessert. The neat small foliage makes this variety ideal for creating fragrant posies (mix with sweet peas or tea roses for a true delight). Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Mabel Grey P. x citronellum The most stunning, the most delicious, the lemoniest of scented geraniums rivaled only by Lemon Tart! This variety has large light green fanlike leaves and pretty light pink flowers with purple spots, borne on a handsome upward growing shrub to 1.0m. The intense scent is exactly that of old-fashioned lemon sherbet. We love serving small summer desserts like individual cheesecakes and fruit tarts on a leaf of Mabel Grey. It is excellent for fragrant posies and bouquets, and of course when dried, added to pot pourri. It grows to 85cm.		$8.95
Mint Rose This variety has a lusciously cool scent compounded of sweet peppermint and red roses. The bush has deeply incised leaves and is low growing to 70cm. It is superb for posies. Use the leaves as a base for chocolate cupcakes and muffins warm from the oven so that the fragrance of the leaves is absorbed. Rare.		$8.50
Musk Rose P.graveolens var. A handsome plant to around 80cm well clothed with deeply incised mid-green leaves redolent with sweet true musk (as opposed to cheap musky perfumes!) and delicious to sniff. Temporarily unavailable		$8.50
Nutmeg P. x fragrans A small, very neat , densely mounded, spreading, grey-green, bush with an intense spicy fragrance of true nutmeg, and masses of tiny white flowers. It is an ideal choice for pots or to edge a path. The small, lightly frilled leaves are the perfect choice for buttonholes and posies, as well as, when dried, for pot pourri.		$8.50
Old Fashioned Rose P.graveolens This species has deeply incised, mid green leaves with a lovely fresh rose fragrance, and bears clusters of lavender-pink flowers. It forms a neat, semi-upright bush to 90cm. This is one of the principal rose geranium varieties used for the extraction of deliciously scented rose geranium essential oil. The leaves are extracted by steam distillation, and the oil used in perfumery, for soaps and other toiletries.		$8.50
Old Spice P. x fragrans This beautiful geranium was bred in the 19th century from the nutmeg geranium and the apple geranium resulting in a variety smelling of freshly baked spicy apple pie! It forms a neat, dense, low-growing bush covered in soft, grey-green, dainty leaves, with sprays of tiny white flowers. It can be used in the same ways as the Nutmeg Geranium, and is excellent for growing in pots or to border a fragrant path.		$8.50
Orange Fizz This very attractive variety has the unmistakable scent of orange sherbert - delicious! It has deep green lobed and fanlike foliage, an upright habit to around 60 cm and very pretty quite large lilac flowers feathered with ruby and black.		$8.50
Peppermint P.tomentosum Irresistable to children who love to stroke it, this variety has big, velvet textured, floppy, deep green leaves that are intensely and sweetly scented of peppermint. The slightest touch releases the fragrance. It makes a low growing, spreading, handsome plant for a large pot, hanging basket, or for the garden, and unlike most scented geraniums is tolerant of some shade. It can make an excellent groundcover in dappled moist shade, and although the tiny white flowers are not impressive individually they are borne in great profusion in airy sprays making a charming display.		$8.50
Pretty Polly This variety has handsome bright pink large flowers and neat, light green, spicily fragranced leaves. The bush is compact and upright growing to 80cm. Rare. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Prince Rupert P.crispum var.major This is a larger-leafed version of the Fingerbowl Geranium with the same intense lemony fragrance and crinkled small fan-like leaves. It was one of the most loved scented geraniums of the19th century gardener, not only for its fragrance but for its excellent garden qualities. It forms a very neat upright bush to one metre and is ideal for a container planting or for planting in a fragrance garden.		$8.50
Rober's Lemon Rose P.graveolens var. This variety has the sweetest of scents, of true rose and lemon intermingled. The leaves are lobed and elongated, unique in shape. It grows into a neat upright bush to 90cm. This is one of our favourite varieties for flavouring cakes and it is wonderful in pot pourri.		$8.50
Rose P.capitatum This species has large, soft, lightly frilled leaves with an elusive and lovely sweet old rose fragrance. It is ideal for use in fragrant posies, bringing sweet fragrance indoors, and for making pot pourri. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Round Leaf Rose P.adcififolium This variety has soft, rounded pale green leaves with a true, stong and lovely fragrance of old-fashioned roses. One of our most delightful recent importations, this is exceptional for its robust health, forming a substantial, fresh green, soft bush to 1.0 to 1.2m high. It is drought resistent and tolerant of light shade, and so productive of fragrant leaves for crafts.		$8.50
Scarlet Pet (Moore's Victory) This famous old variety from 1900 produces clusters of magnificent bright scarlet flowers. The upper petals are veined black, and the leaves have the scent of fresh carrots! Temporarily unavailable		$8.50
Scented Geranium Citriodorum or Citrus or Orange Scented Geranium P. x citrosum This is quite a rare scented geranium making a bushy shrub to around 50 cm high with lobed leaves which are very cleanly and strongly citrus scented, The flowers are charming, quite large, in pale pink veined with deep wine red flare paths for the bees to follow.		$8.95
Silver Leaf Rose This is one of our rarest and most beautiful varieties, forming a well shaped shrub to 90 cm. The large, silvery, velvet textured leaves are deeply incised like snowflakes. The fragrance is very fine, with the true cool sweet intense fragrance of the old roses of the past. Rare. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Small Leaf Oak P. quercifolium This is much smaller in all respects than the species, with a fairly prostrate growth habit, handsomeand very sticky, small, deep green, lobed leaves often marked with a dark chocolate blotch, and with a woodsy cedar and spice scent. The flowers are handsome, borne in clusters, and are orchid mauve feathered with darkest velvety purple. Click on the picture to view a larger image		$8.50
Spice P. denticulatum cv. Ficifolium This variety always catches the eyes of visitors to our gardens. The leaves are so full of fragrant oil that they are sticky to the feel and are so very finely divided as to resemble lace.They are a deep greeny-bronze, and smell wonderfully of pine and spice. The pretty mauve flowers appear for many months of the year. Temporarily unavailable		$8.50
Sweet Mimosa or Sweet Miriam This variety has charming quite large shell pink flowers in clusters. The leaves are sweetly scented, reminiscent of wattle flowers for many and for others of eucalyptus trees - certainly an Australian bush fragrance - and are large, lobed and mid-green. bright green and round lobed.		$8.50
True Lemon P. limoneum A shrub with medium sized, frilled, fresh green leaves and small orchid pink flowers in clusters. The scent is superbly lemony and this variety forms a soft textured, neat bush to about 90 cm.		$8.50
Tutti Fruitti P. fragrans cv. This delightful variety smells just like a tutti frutti iceceam! It is a small, dense, low-growing bush covered with small, grey-green, lightly friled leaves and tiny white flowers marked with lipstick red. It is ideal for a pot or to edge a fragrant pathway. It is one of our favourites for floristry work such as posies and buttonholes. Temporarily unavailable		$8.50
Variegated Peppermint This very striking variety has the most amazing and refreshing strong peppermint scent. The deeply incised leaves are beautifully variegated in green and shades of white and pale cream. It forms a neat, well foliaged and rounded shrub to 80cm, and is one of the prettiest of all the scented geraniums. The flowers are pink. Temporarily unavailable		$8.95

Wanting to thank someone, or celebrate a special event?
The perfect gift for a gardener, cook, or craftsperson!

Special Scented Geranium Offer

Scented Geranium Collection
If you are new to the delightful hobby of collecting easy to grow scented geraniums for landscaping, pot culture, cookery, floristry and pot pourri, and for filling the garden with fragrance, we offer an initial scented geranium collection of SEVEN plants of our choice for $60.00 including postage and packaging within Australia. (We regret that due to state quarantine restrictions we no longer send to Western Australia or Tasmania.) These will provide you with a range of fragrances from fruity to spicy to floral. For those who garden in pots, these are the ideal fragrance plants.

If you would like to send a gift collection, we will enclose a flower or seasonal card with your message (maximum thirty words) together with a brochure on using and growing Scented Geraniums. At Christmas, if your gift is for someone who will be away on vacation, we will send the card and brochure for Christmas, and forward the plant collection in February. Otherwise, Christmas plant gifts and collections are dispatched by December 15th as the latest date.

$60.00

Would you like to explore more of the Honeysuckle Cottage website filled with huge collections of rare heirloom flowers, gourmet herbs and vegetables, seeds, fragrant and useful herbs, and masses of fascinating articles? Then click here.