Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'
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Tried and True Recommended by 5 Professionals
Common Name: bigroot geranium
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Geraniaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Garden Location: The Fragrance Garden
Height: 0.75 to 1 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: April to July
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Description: Deep magenta w/ dark red sepals
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Fragrant, Good Fall Color
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Dry Soil, Drought, Deer, Rabbits
Uses: Groundcover, Erosion Control, Will Naturalize

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates drought due to thick rhizomes. Tolerates hot and humid summers better than most other geranium species. Unlike many other geraniums, plants of this species do not need to be cut back, sheared or otherwise trimmed after flowering. Removal of flowering stems is all that is usually necessary for maintaining attractive plant appearance. If foliage decline occurs as the summer progresses, individual leaves may be removed as they yellow. If flowering stems are not removed, some self-seeding may occur in ideal growing conditions.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This bigfoot geranium cultivar is a clump-forming perennial which spreads by rhizomes to form a dense ground cover that chokes out most weeds. Typically grows 9-12" tall and spreads to 18-24" wide. Five-petaled, deep magenta flowers (to 1" diameter) with dark red sepals appear in terminal clusters above the foliage from mid to late spring. A sporadic rebloom may occur in summer. Flowers give way to cranesbill-like seed heads. Palmate, deeply-lobed (5-7 lobes), medium green leaves (basal leaves 4-8" wide) are hairy, sticky and fragrant. Leaves acquire attractive red and bronze tints in fall. Foliage forms an attractive ground cover throughout the summer and fall. Species plants are commonly called bigfoot or bigroot geranium in reference to the thick, fleshy rhizomes.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Borders, wild gardens, cottage gardens, naturalized areas. Small area ground cover.

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