Pelargonium x tomentosum Chocolate

The 'Chocolate' Pelargonium is a perennial and frost-tender Geranium whose vegetation releases a powerful scent reminiscent of peppermint with the slightest touch. The plant forms a small spreading and trailing shrub, with silky stems covered in evergreen and velvety leaves, marked with a chocolate central spot that earned it its name. It blooms from June to October, offering pale lavender-pink flowers veined with garnet, giving them a bicoloured appearance. Plant it in full sun, in well-drained soil, indoors or on the terrace. It can only be grown in the ground in our mildest regions, protected from frost.

The 'Chocolate' Pelargonium is likely derived from a botanical species native to the Hottentots Holland Mountains, a mountainous region located east of the Cape Province in South Africa, the Pelargonium tomentosum. 'Chocolate' closely resembles it and forms a perennial spreading shrub belonging to the geranium family. Its almost trailing habit is supported by hairy stems, allowing the plant to reach 35 to 50 cm (14 to 20in) in height (or even more) with a width of 80 cm (32in) to 1 m (3ft). The entire plant emits a scent reminiscent of menthol. Its highly ornamental foliage consists of cordate-based leaves, divided into 3 lobes, undulate, heavily pubescent, measuring 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) wide, initially pale green with a chocolate brown centre and along the veins, gradually darkening to become dark green in summer. It blooms from June to October in the form of small clusters of delicate lavender to pale pink flowers measuring 15 mm (1in), less spectacular perhaps than those of classic perennial or annual hybrids, but more authentic. The two upper petals, veined with garnet, give them a bicoloured appearance.

With a simple touch, the 'Chocolate' Pelargonium releases a powerful fragrance and repels mosquitoes. So plant it, in a pot or in the ground, in a place where you can touch it, along a pathway or in a pot on the terrace or veranda. Scented geraniums are precious for perfuming a bedroom, where they delight us with their sometimes unexpected and wonderful fragrances. One day after the rain, we stopped in front of a bed of scented geraniums and spent a long time immersing ourselves in a small symphony of delicate scents. One of our favourites, as you may have guessed. In mild climates, it is a plant that perfectly withstands summer drought and requires very little maintenance, making it valuable for dry gardens, by the seaside.

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