>> Buy Now Scented Geranium Sampler
We've put together some of our
favorite varieties, each with a refreshingly different aroma, all of which
you can easily grow on any sunny windowsill or in containers on the patio.
5 plants. Reg $29.95 NOW $26.95
|
Less than $4.50
each!
>> Buy Now World
of Fragrance Collection
This
value-priced collection combines aromatic
geraniums from each of 5 scent categories: citrus, fruit, pungent,
spice, and rose. 10 plants. Reg $49.95 NOW $44.95
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Making Sense of Scents
Scented geraniums are native to South Africa. In 1631 English
gardener John Tradescant introduced the plant to England, and
by the Victorian Era there were hundreds of varieties. Why did the Victorians
love them so much?
Although the plants are interesting and have pretty flowers, that's not
the basis for their popularity. Before and during Victorian times, the
daily
shower
or bath was unheard of. Rather, bathing
might
occur
on
a monthly
or even
annual
basis.
So plants
with strong, pleasant fragrances that could mask less pleasing odors
were in great demand. Scented geraniums contain abundant, fragrant oils
in
their
leaves. They were grown on a large scale and the oils extracted for use
in the perfume industry. The most popular varieties were those that were
rose-scented, because their oils could be used to supplement more expensive
true rose oils.
This is an indication of just how much aromatic oil is contained
in the leaves, and therefore how remarkably fragrant the plants are.
Simply brushing past a plant will release a pleasant scent. So place
scented geraniums in containers and along paths where passersby
will brush against them or be able to pluck a leaf. View
all scented geraniums.
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