Digging deeperPlant Library

Apple Scented Geranium flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Description:

An ideal choice for a foliage bed or border; leaves are deeply lobed and emit a subtle, apple scent when brushed or rubbed; lovely shell pink flowers with red veins and spots are enjoyed all season long; deadhead to promote re-blooming

Ornamental Features

Apple Scented Geranium is covered in stunning spikes of shell pink orchid-like flowers with white overtones and red spots rising above the foliage from mid spring to early fall. Its crinkled lobed leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Apple Scented Geranium is an herbaceous annual with a more or less rounded form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Apple Scented Geranium is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Apple Scented Geranium will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Apple Scented Geranium is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.