Native to South Africa, the geraniums that decorate our balconies are not known for their fragrance. But rose geranium, once cultivated on the island of Réunion and now mainly in Egypt, contains in its leaves an essence with multiple olfactory and curative properties. Its rosy, minty and lemony notes are a common presence in perfumery.

Explore the many facets of this hardy and elegant plant, journeying from botany, history, art and aromatherapy to agriculture and chemistry, without overlooking, of course, geranium fragrances and their creators.