Pelargonium Abrotanifolium, Southernwood-Leaved Geranium

Pelargonium Abrotanifolium  it is also known as Southernwood-Leaved Geranium due to its finely divided aromatic foliage similar with  Artemisia Abrotanum’s  foliage (plant named after the Goddess Artemis).

 

The truth is that, indeed, not only the feathery look and the grey-green color of the leaves resemble the Southernwood’s foliage.

First time when I had smelled the Pelargonium Abrotanifolium leaves ("folium" is Latin for leaf ), I’ve remembered the strong camphor-woodsy like fragrance of the  "Pelin" (aka European Sage, Garden Sagebrush, Artemisia Abrotanum or Southernwood ) from my grandma’s garden. 

In my childhood, I've used  to wash my wounds with "Pelin and Musetel" (Southernwood and Chamomile) tea, which is a well-known old medicine remedy to reduce inflammation and the risk of supra-infection and to  promote healing in case of bleeding wounds.

 

Pelargonium Abrotanifolium  is an upright bushy plant native to the rocky areas of South Africa. Started from seeds last year, planted initially in micro-soil blocks, the plants grow healthy in well-drained medium, a mix of  potting soil,  sand and  small rocks.

It is blooming throughout the year with white or pink flowers with dark purple markings on the upper two petals.

 The plant can reach 20″ (50 cm) tall in the wild or garden-beds, but it remains compact if is pruned regularly. The stem and branches became woody with age and the plant respond well to the leaf reduction if is potted in small pots.  The silvery-feathery look of the leaves alone makes an outstanding focal point in our garden. On top of it, the spicy fragrance of their foliage is worth nurturing the plant along.