Planting an herbal garden that includes scented geraniums is not common to container gardening. Most gardeners think of scented geraniums as a floral plant, not an herbal plant but the species, called pelargonium, is an herb with many uses. This delightful herb has many different aromas and gorgeous colors to delight your senses. The scented geranium is best used in container gardening for two reasons. One, you can control the soil and moisture, and two you can bring it indoors when a frost is imminent.

The scented geranium was found in Africa in the 1600’s and shipped to England where it became most popular. The gardener of King Charles I grew a variety of scented geraniums in the royal greenhouse. The Victorians thought they were geraniums rather than an herbal plant but if you look at their asymmetrical leaves you can see the difference between scented geraniums and regular geraniums.

The scented geranium is truly a herbal plant for all seasons. It grows and has a lovely aroma throughout the spring and summer and when the chilly winds of autumn threaten this sturdy herbal plant will gladly co-exist inside with you. Nothing could be better when container gardening includes scented geranium with their exquisite flowers, lovely scented leaves, and sturdy characteristics for year round enjoyment of your senses.

True to their name scented geraniums come in a multitude of fragrances. Seemly, the favorite is the rose scented geranium but others are gaining popularity quickly. Some of the more robustly planted are the apple scented, peppermint scented, wood, like cedar or balsam, nutmeg and citronella (also know as the mosquito buster.) You can plant a whole container garden with this one type of plant and have a beautiful diversity. Their leaves alone will contrast interestingly to give you a spectacular container garden. The tiny smooth leaves of the nutmeg scented geranium, or Lady Mary, to the large musk scented leaves of the Lady Plymouth.

The rose scented geraniums are gaining popularity for calming and are increasingly used in mediation and for healing purposes. The plant truly releases a delicious rose scent when rubbed against or crushed. Just brush the leaves to release their scent or make a soothing rose geranium tea to help you relax.

There are many culinary uses for the scented geranium to delight your taste buds. Chop up the leaves and mix with your other favorite herbs such as chives or chervil or thyme to make interesting flavored butters or dips and spreads. A really clever way to use the leaves is to line a baking pan when making pies, puddings or cakes to impart a wonderful flavor to your desserts. Use them for desserts, syrups or custards for another unique flavor. You can even make flavored sugar by layer dry, fresh leaves with sugar. Let them sit a few days, remove the leaves and store the sugar in an air tight container. This can be used in teas, baking goods, or as a sugar scrub. They are delightful in baths and infused in water to rinse your hair.

The scented geranium is a great as a room freshener or added to potpourri. Try adding some to your vacuum bag or put them in a mesh bag and add them to your dryer for a new fresh scent for your clothes.

Scented geraniums are grown from cuttings taken from the mother plant. Cut three to four inches just above a leaf. Strip the lower leaves off and place in a rooting medium, such as a mix of sphagnum peat moss. Place your cutting in bright light and keep it moist. When roots have been established it is time to place it in your container garden. Make sure the soil is porous and fast draining.

When the scented geranium is indoors it is necessary to feed it once a week to ensure full leaf growth. Pinching back the plant not only encourages bushy growth but releases a delicious aroma into the air. Keep the soil evenly damp; do not over water them as this will kill them. They can come back from overly dry situations but not wet ones.

Now it is time to add this multi-talented plant to your container garden. Just one word of caution, once you get to know the scented geranium your herbal garden will never be without it.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

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Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. Mary has also published articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking for more information on these subjects visit http://www.GardeningHerb.com, http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, and http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com

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Seasonal flowering plants can be brought out when they are at their utmost beauty and then removed to be replaced with other plants. Imagine how attractive you can make your patio with a selection of spring bulbs and azaleas followed by summer annuals such as salvia and marigolds. In the fall you can replace them with poinsettias and mums. This is just a sample of what can be done with container gardening.

Evergreens are another good choice for container gardening. Evergreens are plants that retain their leaves all year round. This differs with deciduous plants, which lose their foliage for part of the year, becoming bare and leafless. Once they have established themselves, most evergreen shrubs need little pruning.

Keep in mind, that pruning will improve the health of the evergreen. So, in some cases you will want to prune to improve the overall look and health of your plants. After pruning, plants will benefit from feeding with a general purpose fertilizer. A number of evergreens tolerate severe pruning, which is best done as they come into active growth in the spring.

The Photinia Red Robin is a popular evergreen shrub with radiant red, glossy foliage and clusters of small, white flowers. It blooms in mid to late spring, and is sometimes followed by luscious red fruit. It is especially colorful and can also be used to wall shrub.

Variegated plants, like evergreens, can create a full look to your container garden. Variegation is the appearance of differently colored regions in the leaves, and sometimes the stems of the plants. This variegation is attractive and ornamental, and gardeners tend to protect and conserve these.

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Some people stick a fake tree in a corner, dust the leaves off every week, and call it indoor gardening. But indoor gardening has grown into much more than that over the last few years.

There are many reasons for starting an indoor garden. For instance, plants don’t only remove carbon dioxide from the air, they also remove many poisonous toxins and pollutants as well. Indoor gardening will result not only in beautiful decoration in your house but, cleaner air as well.

When choosing your plants for indoor gardening, make sure the plants are adaptable and will be able to thrive in the conditions and setting in your house. Consider how much time you will be able to spend caring for the plants, how much light your house offers, and also how much money you want to spend on your indoor garden.

If you are on a low budget,you may want to start with seeds or cuttings. If you want to spend a little more money you can buy a plant that is already grown.

Another thing to consider is if you want to display your plant(s) all year or just for a season.

Herb gardens are particularly popular for indoor gardening; they are both attractive and edible. They grow pretty quickly so you won’t have to wait long to see results.

Some popular herbs, especially for cooking, are chives, dill, sage, thyme, and oregano. When choosing a plant for indoor gardening, consider the amount of experience you have. Some plants are stronger and easier to care for and therefore may be better for a novice gardener. Examples are Fatsia, Cyperus, Scandens, Popular Succulents, Coleus, and Bromeliads.

Some of the basic guidelines for maintaining plants are different in indoor gardening than in a regular outdoor setting. Since indoor plants won’t get the sunlight they do outdoors, lighting is essential. You should also consider how much light your plants will get.You may need to pick plants that only need medium to low light, such as ferns or Philodendrons, or, supply artificial lighting.

If you buy a plant already grown, wherever you get it probably has better lighting than your house so you will need to gradually reduce the light it receives so it can adapt. Once you get the plant inside, make sure and rotate the plant to encourage upright growth.

Just because you are indoor gardening your plants still need to be watered. How often you water, and how much water you give, once again, depends on the type of plant you have. Make sure the container can drain properly and try to make the water about room temperature.

Also pay attention to temperature in your house in order to ensure healthy plants. A 10-15 degree range shouldn’t hurt your plants, but rapid changes could cause damage.

Indoor gardening doesn’t need to be difficult; in fact, it isn’t that much different than outdoor. There are even some advantages to indoor gardening. For example, you shouldn’t have problems with insects. You also don’t have to worry about the weather reeking havoc on your garden with wind, frost, etc.

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