Pelargonium graveolens Grey Lady Plymouth

The Pelargonium graveolens 'Grey Lady Plymouth' is a very pretty variety of scented geranium, often considered the most fragrant of all. This lovely evergreen bush stands out at first glance with its dense and harmonious habit, and then with its magnificent deeply incised foliage, a very soft silver-grey colour, finely edged with white. It releases an astonishing scent that reminds some people of peppermint, or even roses, with the slightest touch. Throughout the summer, its delicate flowers, lavender-pink with violet markings, add to its charm. This variety is drought tolerant. It should be grown in full sun, in well-drained soil, and protected from frost. 

The scented Pelargonium 'Grey Lady Plymouth' is a direct descendant of the famous cultivar 'Lady Plymouth', from which it differs mainly by its more silver-grey foliage. This variety comes from, among others, a botanical species native to the Cape Province in South Africa, Pelargonium graveolens. The plant forms a perennial bush with a rounded and dense habit, reaching 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28in) in all directions. Its highly ornamental foliage is composed of deeply divided leaves with 5 lobes and very toothed edges, thick, in a soft and refined shade of grey-green, smoky grey, with silvery reflections, irregularly variegated with white. Some describe their fragrance as a rich rose scent, with fruity accents, distinctly fresh and invigorating.

Flowering occurs from June to September, in the form of small umbels borne on the foliage, with small lavender to pale pink flowers, light, perhaps less spectacular than those of classic hybrids, whether perennial or annual, but more authentic. The 2 upper petals, veined with violet, are larger than the 3 lower ones. 

With a simple touch, the Pelargonium 'Grey Lady Plymouth' releases a powerful scent and repels mosquitoes. So plant it, in a pot or in the ground, in a place where you can touch it, along a path or in a pot on the terrace or veranda. Scented geraniums are precious for perfuming a room, where they delight us with their sometimes unexpected and wonderful scents. We stopped one day after the rain, in front of a bed of scented geraniums, and spent a long time immersing ourselves in a small symphony of delicate fragrances. In mild climates, it is a plant that perfectly withstands summer drought and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for dry gardens, near the sea.

Try flavouring a recipe with scented pelargonium flowers, it works! The edible leaves are used in fruit salads and potpourri.

Note: Attention, our young plug plants are professional products reserved for experienced gardeners: upon receipt, transplant and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame) at a temperature above 14 °C (57.2°F) for a few weeks before being installed outdoors once the risk of frost has been definitively eliminated.