Apple Scented Geranium Plant

Scented Geraniums are the perfect patio or deck plant. When brushed against, the foliage releases heavenly scents. The smell of Apple Scented Geranium is impressive and almost better than the real thing. The lily pad-like leaves are thick and slightly fuzzy and exude the scent of fresh apples. Pelargonium is the annual geranium typically grown for its impressive flowers and long flowering period. The scented varieties of Pelargonium also have flowers, although less conspicuous. Nonetheless, the flowers also smell and taste of apples and are great unexpected additions to a salad or jelly jar.Scented Geraniums have been part of the kitchen garden for hundreds of years. The Victorians grew many different types to suit different needs. Apple Scented Geranium is used to flavor salads, drinks, or jellies. In contrast, a lemon-scented Geranium would have been used to deter insects. Scented Geraniums are perfect for small garden spaces or container gardens. They do not take up much room but put out fragrance and attract pollinators while in bloom.Apple Scented Geranium CareScented Geraniums like to be placed in full sun but will require shade during the hottest part of the day in warmer climates. Well-draining soil is key to a good root system. Use a potting mix with added perlite if planting these geraniums in containers. Water on a bi-weekly schedule. The thick, fuzzy leaves can withstand drought in between waterings, but the plants are still tender perennials that like moderately moist soil. Deadheading will encourage the plants to keep producing flowers, and pinching out the stem tips early in the season helps promote a bushy shape.Scented Geraniums are tender perennials and can only grow outside year-round in zones 9-12. In the other USDA growing zones, they can be overwintered as houseplants or placed in a dark, frost-free spot like a garage or basement until the following spring. Bring the plants indoors when the nighttime temperature dip below 50 degrees F. Prune the plants lightly to remove any dead or dying top growth. Try growing your scented geranium on a bright south-facing windowsill. Restrict watering to once every two weeks in winter to keep the root zone barely damp. If you plan to place the plants in a dark spot, they need to be cut back to within 8 inches of the soil. Place the pots somewhere dark where the temperatures will not go below 45 F, and wait to water again until the late winter or when the first sprout of green appears in early spring.Apple Scented Geranium SpacingApple Scented geraniums need good air circulation to prevent diseases and pests from attacking. The mature height is 12 inches with a width of 24 inches. Plant Scented Geraniums at 16 inches apart on center. For a potted Geranium, the container should have an 8-inch diameter. Apple Scented Geranium Plant InformationUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 – 12Plant Type: Edible PlantsLight Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)Mature Height: 10 – 12 InchesMature Spread: 12 – 24 InchesMature Spacing: 12 – 24 InchesHabit: MoundedFlower Color(s): WhiteFlower Description: Bloom Period: Foliage Type: EvergreenFoliage Color(s): GreenFoliage Description: Seasonal Interest: N/AWatering: LowResists: N/ATolerates: DroughtAttracts: Bees, Birds, ButterfliesContainer Role: Uses: Borders, Containers, GroundcoversFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, FragrantBrand: Sarahs Superb HerbsCommon Name: Apple Scented Geranium PlantOther Name(s): Apple Scented GeraniumScientific Name: Pelargonium ‘Apple’ Scented Geranium