Bigroot Geranium - Geranium macrorrhizum -  - €8 per plant
Multipack - 10 plants for 55 EUR - provides cover for 36 square meters   

Geranium macrorrhizum is a versatile and easy-to-care-for perennial that makes a great ground cover plant in a forest garden. The plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way and can make a very effective weed smotherer growing rampantly, rooting as they spread. It produces beautiful blooms in shades of pink, purple, or white throughout the summer and will continue to return year after year. This adaptable plant tolerates a variety of light conditions and grows well even in the deep shade. 
To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: Central and southeastern Europe, stretching to western Turkey.
  • native habitat: Amongst limestone rocks, screes, in woods and scrub to 2100 metres. Shady places, especially in mountains
  • family: Geraniaceae

Predators

  • Typically pest-free perennials.

Needs, tolerances 

  • ​Light: Full sun, semi shade or shade
  • soil pH:  neutral - alkaline 
  • Hardiness Zone: 4 -8
  • Heat tolerant 
  • Drought tolerant
  • Shade tolerant 
  • Deer tolerant 
  • Grows well in dry shade

Known Hazards

  • None known

Overview

  • Evergreen Perennial growing to 0.5 m by 0.6 m.
  • It is hardy to zone 4 - 8
  • In flower from May to July
  • Hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs)
  • Pollinated by insects
    Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.
  • Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Characteristics

  • form:evergreen perennial
  • layer : Ground Layer
  • habit: dense upright growth spreading evenly  
  • height x width (m):0.5x0.6
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Products 

  • Makes a good dense ground cover 
  • Flowers are nectary, attracting pollinators  
  •  Very aromatic leaves have been used in the past as a source of geranium oil and also used in pot-pourri and perfumery

Functions, behaviours

  • Spreading to form a dense cover particularly suited to shady areas  
  • Easy to divide best achieved in the spring.
  • A good ground cover plant for the woodland garden. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way and can make a very effective weed smotherer growing rampantly, rooting as they spread.
If you would like this plant send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project