Pelargonium graveolens Bontrosaï

The Pelargonium graveolens 'Bontrosaï' is a natural mutation of the strong-scented pelargonium or lemon geranium, sought after for its strange—yet captivating—velvety foliage, undulating, wrinkled and curled. Growing at a slower pace than the typical species, this form retains in its leaves the same intense aroma that recalls both rose and lemon. And its summer flowering is identical, in the form of small pink flowers, streaked with garnet red, grouped in small umbels. A unique, unusual and quirky plant, to be displayed in a beautiful pot, or trained as a bonsai! It is a frost-sensitive plant that should be overwintered frost-free.

Growing in two separate regions of South Africa, as well as Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where the climate is characterised by hot and humid summers and very mild winters, the Pelargonium graveolens is a perennial shrub, but not hardy. Like all geraniums, it belongs to the geranium family. In nature, the plant thrives in mountainous areas, especially in moist ravines. Its bushy habit is supported by hairy stems, which lignify over time, allowing the plant to slowly reach 40 cm (16in) in all directions (or a little more in open ground). Regular pruning helps maintain a nice compact habit. Its remarkable foliage consists of deeply lobed, strongly undulated leaves, whose puffy appearance may resemble an aphid attack. They are soft and velvety to the touch, due to the presence of numerous hairs secreting a highly fragrant essential oil. Depending on the observer and the time of year, its fragrance can be perceived differently; balsamic, lemony or minty, it more distinctly evokes rose notes in summer. Flowering occurs from June to October, in the form of heads containing 10 to 15 small flowers of a fresh pink with a hint of mauve, measuring 15 mm (1in), lighter and perhaps less spectacular than those of classic hybrids, whether perennial or annual, but more authentic. The 2 upper petals, veined with garnet, are larger than the 3 lower petals. The plant is fertile and produces some fruits, unlike the hybrids of the Rosat group, which are mostly sterile.

With a simple touch, the Pelargonium graveolens 'Bontrosaï' releases a fairly strong fragrance that lingers on the fingers and repels mosquitoes. So plant it, in a pot indoors or in the ground, in a place where you can touch it: along a path or in a pot on the terrace, in the conservatory. We came to a stop, one day after the rain, in front of a bed of fragrant geraniums and spent a long time immersing ourselves in a symphony of delicate scents.

Its leaves are sometimes used in perfumery to extract a rose essence, and the English pick its flowers to flavour their jellies Try flavouring a recipe with the scent of the fragrant pelargonium flower, it works! The edible leaves are used in fruit salads and potpourris.