Pelargonium odoratissimum (Sc)
apple geranium
P. odoratissimum is a low-growing evergreen herbaceous perennial, up to 25cm tall, with a short main stem and trailing flowering stems. Rounded, apple-scented, light green leaves, 4-5cm across, are held on 5cm long stalks. Clusters of 3-10 star-shaped white flowers, 1.5cm across, the two upper petals marked with red veins, appear from spring to summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- Genus
Pelargonium can be perennials, sub-shrubs or shrubs, sometimes succulent and mostly evergreen, with palmately lobed or pinnately divided leaves and clusters of slightly irregular, 5-petalled flowers
- Name status
Unresolved
- Horticultural Group
- Scented-leaved pelargoniums are evergreen shrubs or perennials with strongly aromatic foliage and small, single flowers in shades of pink, purple or white
- Plant range
- Southern Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outside in summer in fertile, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun; in containers, indoors or out, grow in well-drained soil-less multipurpose compost or soil-based compost such as John Innes No. 2, in full light but shaded from scorching midday sun. Provide good ventilation, and water moderately during the growing season from spring to summer, and only sparingly in winter. For more details see pelargonium cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in late winter and grown on in a protected environment such as a heated greenhouse, or by softwood cuttings from spring to autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to vine weevil larvae, leafhopper, root mealybugs, and whitefly
Diseases
May be affected by Pelargonium viruses, grey moulds, Pelargonium rust, and leafy gall
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