Biokovo Cranesbill Is a Must Grow Perennial for Sun or Shade
A truly delightful perennial
Each year, the Perennial Plant Association names just one garden perennial as its Perennial Plant of the Year. Past winners include superstars like 'David' phlox, 'Becky Shasta daisy, 'Moonbeam' coreopsis, 'Rozanne' geranium and 'Jack Frost' Siberian bugloss. In 2015, 'Biokovo' cranesbill was given the honor. This low-growing plant checks all the boxes: multiple seasons of interest, tolerance of diverse growing conditions, easily found at the garden center, few maintenance needs and freedom from pest or disease problems.
Common name: 'Biokovo' cranesbill, 'Biokovo' hardy geranium
Botanical name: Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'
Flowers: Five very light pink to white petals surround darker pink stamens. Flowers appear in late spring, with a heavy bloom that covers the plant. 'Biokovo' cranesbill flowers open up from darker pink or reddish buds, giving the perennial an overall two-tone appearance as it comes into bloom.
Foliage: Deep green lobed leaves are held thickly enough to make 'Biokovo' cranesbill an effective ground cover. The leaves take on a red-orange color in fall.
Habit: Herbaceous, perennial ground cover growing six to ten inches tall and spreading outward by underground stems (rhizomes). The shallow rhizomes are easy to pull out if 'Biokovo' strays into garden areas where it is not wanted.
Season: Spring for flowers, summer for neutral green ground cover, fall for bright foliage color.
Origin: 'Biokovo' cranesbill is a hybrid between two Geranium species native to eastern Europe. This hybrid cross occurred in nature; the plant was found, named and propagated by Dr. Hans Simon.
How to grow 'Biokovo' cranesbill: Plant this hardy geranium in full sun or part shade, with average soil that has good drainage. 'Biokovo' cranesbill has moderate water needs and can tolerate some dry periods once it is established. Hardy geraniums typically do not require fertilizing. 'Biokovo' is hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.
