Pelargonium crispum Candy Dancer

The Pelargonium 'Candy Dancer' is a very pretty plant that resembles a fern, with small, finely cut, bright green leaves that give off a pleasant scent of lemony rose. Its flowering is not spectacular but prolonged, and its small lavender-pink flowers gathered in graceful clusters are charming. Highly appreciated, both as an annual for flower beds and as a patio plant, this variety is undoubtedly a safe choice!

The Pelargonium 'Candy Dancer' is a horticultural hybrid from two botanical species native to South Africa called Pelargonium crispum and P. graveolens. This 'Candy Dancer' selection forms an upright and slightly arching bush, about 60-70 cm (24-28in) tall and 40-50 cm (16-20in) wide. Its pubescent and fragrant stems bear clusters of small lavender-pink flowers veined with magenta, light, perhaps less spectacular than those of classic hybrids, whether perennial or annual, but more authentic. These flowers are quite inconspicuous, sometimes nestled in the foliage. They bloom intermittently between May and September. The foliage of this variety is abundant and finely textured. The hairy, light green leaves are highly fragrant and divided into several thin segments with dentate edges. With a simple touch, they release a delicate scent halfway between rose and lemongrass.

The Pelargonium 'Candy Dancer' is as delightful to look at as it is pleasant to smell and touch. So plant it in a pot or the ground, in a place where you can... feast on it, along the edge of a path or in a large pot or a patio near a staircase, never too far from the house, or even inside the house, in a moderately heated room in winter. One day after the rain, we were captivated by a bed of fragrant geraniums and spent a long time immersing ourselves in a small symphony of delicate scents. It is a plant that can become exuberant in very mild climates and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for coastal gardens.

The leaves of the fragrant pelargonium are commonly used in the production of rose essence for perfumes, and in England, the flowers are harvested for use in jelly flavouring. You can also try using the fragrant pelargonium flower to add flavour to your recipes, and the edible leaves can be used in fruit salads or potpourri.