Scented Geraniums Herbal Teas and Flavor Sweets Pies

Scented geraniums are the pelargoniums, a group of flowering plants indigenous to South Africa. Members of the Pelargonium genus are of the Geraneaceae household, or Geranium family, so they are frequently called geraniums. However, they are not to be confused with the North American native wild geranium, Geranium maculatum, commonly called crane’s bill for the appearance of its own seed pod. Scented geraniums are grown for their foliage, not their blossoms. Before it gets a chance to bloom enjoying the aroma of the twenty four, indeed, some anglers clip the flower stalk. Many varieties have been developed with unique scents. Rose, apple, orange, orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, lime, ginger, lemon and mint are a few of the dozens of geraniums which might be available at the local garden center.

The flowers bloom in Reds, pinks, corals, white and purple in round umbels. Each blossom has petals that produce a cute addition to intimate or potpourri offerings. The foliage draped or may be variegated from a hanging basket in varieties. Leaves are velvety and soft because of coating of hairs. While some are compound or lobed or dissected some leaves are large scallop-edged and roundish. Scented geraniums require full sun. Dry soil preferred rose maintenance over wet or clay conditions. When its feet are wet these hardy plants can survive drought conditions and will attract insects. Allow the soil at the peak of the pot. Geraniums are tender, so taken and that they have to be potted inside or overwintered in a greenhouse. They may be treated as annuals in northern climates.

Flowers and leaves are Edible and used to flavor sweets, cakes, custards and puddings with a scent. Heat the liquid to get a recipe with dried rose geranium leaves, allow the mixture strain and cool. The liquid will have a rosy odor. Herb vinegars and jellies can be accented with geranium leaves. Petals used to decorate dishes and can be pulled off the blossoms. Pelargonium leaves are steam distilled to make essential oil of geranium, which smells like rose oil. Geranium oil can be substituted for the expensive rose oil and is frequently found as an adulterant in rose oil. Oil in the leaves or the leaves is used to linens Cushions, bath oil, foods, medicinal ointments, perfumes, potpourri and wine. Massage oil for aromatherapy’s used to balance the mood relax anxieties. Geranium oil’s generally recognized as safe as little Quantities are added for flavoring or seasoning.