Pelargoniums: An Herb Society of America Guide

Craft Uses (continued)

Pelargonium pottery

The leaves and flowers of pelargoniums can be pressed for a variety of crafts (23). The large lobed leaves of P. tomentosum can be used as bookmarks (82). The small-leafed types can be pressed for homemade cards and stationery (38), and Pelargonium leaves can also be pressed under glass for a "pretty silhouette" (12). Sandy Manteuffel makes Pelargonium pottery with pressed leaves; the actual leaf is burned off when the pottery is fired, but the imprint remains and can be stained green (59). 

Pelargoniums can also be used in paper making. The scented leaves can add fragrance and the flowers color. About 2 cups of dried leaves will scent 6-8 sheets of handmade paper, and large-leafed types with prominent veins reportedly work best for paper pulp (71).

Cut arrangements, bouquets, tussie-mussies, garlands and wreaths are more craft possibilities. Cut branches can be hardened off for cut arrangements (6, 7). The small white flowers of P. odoratissimum, P. 'Nutmeg' and P. tomentosum can be substituted for baby's breath in bouquets (17). The flowers will last for a day or two but foliage will appear fresh for weeks (6, 7). Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay prefer small-leafed types like P. crispum for tussie-mussies since their stems are too short for standard bouquets (38). According to Caroline Amidon, the leaves of P. tomentosum "make a beautiful collar" for a tussie-mussie, and Joyce Brobst likes to add P. 'Charity' for its yellow-green tones (3). Garlands can be created from the flowers. Karen England made one from a variety of different Pelargonium flowers which dried into a "delightfully colored garland" that lasted 3 years (32). Small-leafed types also make attractive boutonnieres (8).

The craft use of pelargoniums isn't limited to aromatic projects. The flowers of at least one species, P. peltatum, are reportedly used to make a blue dye that has been used in painting (68, 95).

See the Cosmetic Uses section for information on soaps and related crafts.

Next topic: Cosmetic Uses

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