Pelargonium fruticosum

The Pelargonium fruticosum, which could be translated as shrubby pelargonium, is a South African botanical species that forms a well-branched shrub, recognisable by its particularly fine, crisped, parsley-like foliage that releases a fragrance when crushed. This pelargonium is also characterised by its mahogany branches and small pale pink flowers with dark pink markings. Although not widely cultivated, it is a relatively easy plant to grow that charms with its light and refined yet original appearance. Provide it with sunlight and a light, fertile soil that is neither too acidic nor too alkaline. It is a drought-resistant species but sensitive to cold, so it should be grown in a pot anywhere but the Mediterranean coast.

The Pelargonium fruticosum grows in the south of the Cape province of South Africa, from the coast up to 100 km (62.1mi) inland, from sea level to an altitude of 1500 m (4921ft). Therefore, it is a species capable of adapting to a fairly wide range of climates. It can withstand short freezes of around -4°C (24.8°F) and is well-suited to drought. It is found in moderately humiferous soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. This Pelargonium fruticosum is a small shrub with a variable habit, more or less upright or prostrate depending on the growing conditions. Ultimately, it reaches a height of between 45 and 80 cm (18 and 32in). Its branches are green when young, then turn reddish-brown and become woody at the base. The leaves, leathery and slightly fleshy, are intensely divided into 3 leaflets with very narrow segments. Their lamina is covered with sparse, glandular hairs that contain a fragrant essential oil. The colour of the leaves is a fairly light green, and the tips of the segments are often reddish. The flowering occurs from May to August, depending on the climate (in spring in the Mediterranean region). Each flower stem bears 1 to 4 small flowers. Each flower measures about 3 cm (1in) in diameter and consists of 5 petals. The petals are light pink to white, with the two upper ones larger and marked with a deep pink base.

The pelargoniums and geraniums, unlike the perennial geraniums we cultivate in our gardens, are frost-sensitive plants that can only be planted in open ground in frost-free coastal gardens. Elsewhere, they make excellent container plants that can be easily overwintered indoors from year to year. So, plant these fragrant pelargoniums in a place where you can touch them to savour the full range of their scents. Pelargonium fruticosum is a plant that perfectly withstands summer drought and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for dry gardens by the sea.