This almost absolutely perfect herb-as-houseplant is the scented geraniums. Fragrant and edible, these mimic plants will put a world of tastes and scents right on your sunniest windowsill. Nutmeg, ginger, rose, peppermint, lemon, orange, apple, cinnamon, lime and more -- a whole cupboard of fragrances and flavors with which to play.
These delightful plants assume many forms, tall or small, large leaved or tiny, some felted, some frilled, some variegated. Although not grown for their flowers, they will indeed occasionally reward you with sweet colorful blooms to brighten your day.
As easily grown as any other geranium, they need your sunniest south or east windowsill and a generous pot of decent soil. Feed once in a while and water when dry. If they get long and leggy pinch them back for bushier growth. Use the tips as a garnish, or to flavor a pot of tea. When we groom the dry leaves they go in the vacuum to fragrance the home while we sweep.
The old fashioned rose geranium, a handsome plant, is delightful in cookery. Line the bottom of the cake pan with several leaves from the scented rose geranium when you make a white cake and enjoy the fragrance as it bakes. Your cake will have a delicate and delicious flavor of roses and you will receive rave reviews!
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I love scented geraniums, but they have to be brought in for the winter. They don't often survive. This year we put ours in a pot and now it is back in the garden.
ReplyDeleteI need to get some rose geraniums. I love herbs to use in baking, and geraniums are so cheery! They're one of my grandma's favorite flowers; she fills her porch with pink and red geraniums so that she can see them from inside the house.
ReplyDeleteIt's on my big list of favorite herbs! Just unbelievable that a plant could smell so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHad the nicest visit to your store yesterday - I was at the Heritage Market show and couldn't come that close to your store without stopping for an "herbal fix" !! Never a disappointment and after a tour of the gardens I just didn't want to leave.....Have a great season....Judy
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