In balance

A surfeit of richness or fussiness calls for something pared down and simple to compensate, so after yesterday's indulgent chocolate pudding post, today's words and pictures will be a little more contained and collected.

If only there was a means by which scent could be conveyed through the computer, because this rose geranium (more accurately, pelargonium) smells sweet and heady.

This plant began life as a cutting, and it has partially lost its variegations, but when you brush the leaves it releases its perfume which then lingers on the hands.

I often use the essential oil in the bath for its uplifting and balancing qualities.

Now, take a deep breath and relax......

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For more on this subject, see Valerie Ann Worwood's The Fragrant Pharmacy, The Fragrant Mind: and The Fragrant Heavens

Comments

[Peg]

Simple, but beautiful! I wish there were a way to send cuttings through the mail! Does this plant live continually in the house, or does it go outside for summer? I find with scented geraniums, or rather pelargoniums, do not have much in size of flower on the non-scented, but their fragrance compensates!

[Barbara]

I find scented-leaved pelargoniums are much hardier than other types, tough enough to survive the winter in an unheated greenhouse (in the south of England). I've seen some planted outside which have overwintered. They're also very vigorous, making big plants if given the space, and very easy to propagate from cuttings. There is one variety with large flowers; it's called 'Clorinda'.

[A Wildlife Gardener]

The perfume is so lovely, I agree. You have captured the simplicity in your photographs. With my imagination I can almost smell it...