Geranium macrorrhizum Bevans Variety

Geranium macrorrhizum Bevan's Variety, also known as bigroot cranesbill due to its long rhizomes, has compact and creeping growth, capable of suppressing weeds. This perennial plant forms excellent ground cover, even growing between the roots of trees. It is in spring that this variety offers its cup-shaped flowers, larger than those of the type species, displaying a pretty and deep shade of magenta pink. They emerge above round, cut and velvety foliage, very aromatic when touched. In autumn its bright green leaves turn red and bronze, in harmony with the most beautiful colours of the late season. It is a plant well adapted to difficult conditions. Very hardy, it tolerates sun, shade, and drought well.

Bigroot Geranium is an herbaceous plant of the Geraniaceae family, with a perennial stump, which grows in colonies in the undergrowth of southern Europe at high altitudes. 'Bevan's Variety', from which it descends, distinguishes itself by slightly larger growth and beautiful magenta pink flowers that are highly ornamental. The plant forms a dense clump with a very creeping habit, reaching a height of 40 cm (16in) when in bloom and a minimum width of 50 cm (20in). Through its thick and fleshy trailing rhizomes, it spreads quite rapidly and can eventually form a wide and very covering carpet. The flowering mainly takes place from April to June, depending on the climate, and can sporadically continue in summer, in moist soil. The deep pink flowers with 5 petals measure 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter and are gathered in corymbs carried on 40 cm (16in) stems, well above the foliage. The latter, more or less evergreen, is composed of rounded leaves, deeply cut into seven medium green lobes. Their surface, covered with glandular hairs loaded with essential oil, is slightly sticky to the touch. Their powerful, acrid and very persistent fragrance somewhat resembles that of rhubarb. They are adorned with superb autumnal colours, red, orange or bronze, which persist throughout the winter.

Geranium macrorrhizum Bevan's Variety is an excellent perennial plant that every enthusiast should welcome into their garden due to its great ease of cultivation in all regions and the invaluable services it provides in suppressing weeds, both in shade and full sun. In the undergrowth or in shade it can be associated with small periwinkles, bergenias, small Naples cyclamens, or epimediums. In partial shade or on the edge of a sunny flower bed it will accompany catmints, Teucrium chamaedrys, Stachys, or even Lychnis coronaria with vibrant magenta flowers. A border of Geranium macrorrhizum Bevan's Variety will form a very elegant festoon at the base of an evergreen shrub hedge.