Geranium has a powerful green, leafy-rose-like top note, with a pronounced fruity-minty undertone and a rich, tenacious sweet-rosy dryout.

You see the plants every spring in every nursery. The whole upper plant--not just the flower--is aromatic. The oil is steam distilled from the leaves, stalks, and flowers. You'll find it in all kinds of cosmetics, and some foods, and beverages. It is one of the most important and irreplaceable oils in perfumery and therefore often adulterated.

The best quality is from the Island of Le Reunion (formerly called Bourbon), near Madagascar.

Geranium can lend a soft rosy note that does not dominate blends that contain bergamot, clove, lavender, lime, patchouli, sandalwood, juniperberry, jasmine and rose.