Geranium - Groundcover

Colourfu1, weed smothering and quick growing are the traits which make these mid-size Geraniums essential in the garden. They are good performers in all type of garden settings, even under trees.

Geranium X cantabrigiense 'Biokovo'

Zone 4. Height 25cm. (10") Spread 1M. (4'). The flowers are white with a hint of salmon pink to the throat, a real beauty. The slightly glossy green leaves are mid size to Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum ( its parents). It spreads to a nice flat mound and is highly recommended for use as a semi-evergreen, groundcover that is tough and adaptable for sun or shade.

Geranium X cantabrigiense 'Cambridge'

Zone 4. Height 25cm. (10") Spread 1 M. (4'). These deep baby pink flowers bloom in mid to late spring. It is a hybrid of Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum, showing the best characteristics of both these plants. The foliage is mid size to both its parents but similar, slightly glossy green. It spreads to a nice flat mound and is highly recommended for use as a semi-evergreen, groundcover that is tough and adaptable for sun or shade.

Geranium X cantabrigiense 'Karmina'

Zone 4. Height 25cm. (10") Spread 1M. (4'). This is very similar to Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Cambridge' only the flowers are slightly darker and the foliage a deeper green.

Geranium X cantabrigiense 'St. Ola'

Zone 4. Height 25cm. (10") Spread 1M. (4'). This is a NEW hybrid by Alan Bremner. The flowers are the exquisite purest white, not even the stamens are coloured. This is similar to Geranium 'Biokovo' in size and culture except much more vigorous.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'

Zone 4. Height 40cm. (14") Spread 1.5M. (5'). This Geranium macrorrhizum has purple pink flowers in early spring. The lovely soft velvety foliage has a pungent fragrance (some find it pleasant). If planted in a sunny spot, the fall foliage colouring is brilliant. It is an excellent semi-evergreen groundcover for difficult sites. Do not cut it back in the fall. Sun to Shade.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Album'

Zone 4. Southeastern Europe. Height 40cm. (14") Spread 1.5M. (5'). These large flowers are white with a touch of coral pink in center, an early spring bloomer. The lovely soft velvety foliage has a pungent fragrance (some find it pleasant). If planted in a sunny spot, the fall foliage colouring is brilliant. It is an excellent semi-evergreen groundcover for difficult sites. Do not cut it back in the fall. Sun to Shade.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersens Variety'

Zone 4. South Eastern Europe. Height 40cm. (14") Spread 1.5M. (5'). These early spring flowers are a dusty pink and are the largest of the Geranium macrorrhizums. It is a rugged groundcover adaptable for even difficult situations such as under large trees. It has brilliant fall colouring if planted in the sun but grows in shade too.

Geranium pyrenaicum

Zone 4. Europe. Height 45cm. (1 1/2') Spread 1 M. (4'). The lavender-purple flowers are produced in profusion looking like large flowered baby's breath from spring through fall. It forms an attractive evergreen clump all winter long and makes an excellent woodland groundcover for difficult conditions in sun or shade.

Geranium pyrenaicum 'Album'

Zone 4. Height 45cm. (1 1/2') Spread 1M. (4'). This is a pure white flowered form of Geranium pyrenaicum that is just as easy to grow. Brighten a dark corner in your garden with this dainty but tough plant.

Geranium robertianum 'Celtic White'

Zone 5. Europe. Herb Robert. Height 30cm. (1') Spread 45cm. (1 1/2'). This Geranium has pure white flowers from spring through summer. The leaves are pale green and lace-like. This form of Herb Robert is not as invasive and as big as its' purple flowered brother but it is still not for the timid gardener. Shade to semi-shade.

Geranium sanguineum

Zone 4. Europe. Height 45cm. (1 1/2') Spread 60 cm. (2'). Flower: spring through early summer, bright pink with a violet wash. The plant is an excellent groundcover, frontal plant in a perennial border or use in a large rockery. Leaves are small rounded with deep lobes and are deep green. Vigorous and tough. Cut back in early summer for repeat bloom in fall. Semi-shade.

Geranium sanguineum 'Album'

Zone 4. Height 50cm. (1 1/2') Spread 60cm. (2'). These large, pure white flowers bloom from spring through summer, in a looser formation than other G. sanguineums. This finer-textured plant is excellent as a filler between shrubs or large bold perennials such as Hosta or Crambe. Semi-shade.

Geranium sanguineum 'Cedric Morris'

Zone 4. Height 60cm. (2') Spread 1 M. (4'). These deep rose pink flowers bloom from spring through summer . This is the largest G. sanguineum of all with huge saucer-like flowers and bold foliage. Semi-shade to sun.

Geranium sanguineum 'Glenluce'

Zone 4. Height 30cm. (1') Spread 45cm.(1 1/2'). These large light candyfloss pink flowers bloom from spring through summer on a relatively compact plant. Sun to semi-shade.

Geranium sanguineum 'Striatum'

Zone 4. This is a selection from the wild in England often sold under Geranium lancastriense. Height 20cm. (8") Spread 90cm. (3'). The flowers are a blush baby pink with deep rose pink veining. They seem to sparkle from spring through summr. It is a good groundcover for the smaller garden in sun or semi-shade.