Scented Geranium 'Van Leenii'

I saw an ad in a gadget magazine for this plant, hailed as the best mosquito repellent ever, and decided to order it because the mosquito...Read Mores are pretty horrible in south Mississippi. When I got it in the mail, it looked like a joke...basically a weak-looking stem with a couple of dead leaves. I planted it, gave it a little water and fertilizer, and two months later I have a lush, beautiful, fragrant plant that /does/ seem to evict mosquitos in the immediate area. I've read a lot of reports claiming the citronella doesn't do a thing as an insect repellent, but mine is as effective as you can expect a plant to be. Great experience having this guy, and I'm already plotting a couple of clones. Great citrus aroma that never seems to fade.

I was given some "van leenii" (lemon-scented) as a gift and placed them along my lanai. they outgrew their pots and made lovely low bush...Read Morees with their light-green lacy leaves. very nice scent but I still had mosqitoes. Unfortunately my dog trampled them one too many times and was unable to save it. Mine never flowered. I never see it in a nursery, but would get some more if I do, for the folliage especially. It must be protected from frost and freezing temp, but does well as an indoor plant for those of you in cold regions.