Biokovo Cranesbill
Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'
Height: 8 inches
Spacing: 15 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3
Other Names: Hybrid Cranesbill
Description:
Mounding clump forming habit with large, white flowers tinted pink and red calyces. Fragrant, evergreen foliage. Trailing, low growing plant spreads by underground runners, but is easy to control.
Ornamental Features
Biokovo Cranesbill has masses of beautiful shell pink flowers with rose eyes at the ends of the stems from late spring to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its deeply cut lobed palmate leaves are dark green in color. As an added bonus, the foliage turns a gorgeous dark red in the fall.
Landscape Attributes
Biokovo Cranesbill is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
- Spreading
Biokovo Cranesbill is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Biokovo Cranesbill will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 15 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Biokovo Cranesbill is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
