Geranium macrorrhizum - Bigroot Geranium

Geranium macrorrhizum, also known as Bigroot Geranium due to its long rhizomes, has a compact and creeping growth capable of smothering weeds. This perennial plant forms an excellent ground cover, even growing between the roots of trees. Its small flowers appear in spring, with soft violet-pink cups. They emerge above a round, dissected and velvety foliage, which is very aromatic when brushed. 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, also known as Bigroot Cranesbill, is a herbaceous plant of the geranium family, perennial by its stump, which grows in colonies in the undergrowth of southern Europe, at altitude. The plant forms a dense, low-growing tuft, 30-40 cm (12-16 in) high when in flower and at least 50 cm (20 in) wide. Through its thick and fleshy trailing rhizomes, it spreads quite rapidly and can eventually form a wide and very covering carpet. Flowering mainly takes place from April to June, depending on the climate, and can sporadically occur in summer, in cool soil. The pink flowers with 5 petals measure 1.5 cm (1 in) in diameter and are gathered in corymbs carried by 35 cm (14 in) stems, well above the foliage. The latter, more or less evergreen, is composed of rounded leaves, deeply divided into seven medium-green lobes. Their surface, covered with glandular hairs loaded with essential oil, is a bit sticky to the touch. Their powerful, acrid and very persistent scent is reminiscent of rhubarb. They are adorned with superb autumnal colourations of red, orange or bronze, which last throughout the winter.

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