Geranium macrorrhizum Olympos

Geranium macrorrhizum Olympos is a decorative perennial ground cover plant, low-maintenance and easy to grow in all regions. It is a pretty variety of Geranium with large roots, whose long rhizomes gradually colonise the space, including under trees, discouraging the growth of weeds. In spring its flowers appear in cup shape, displaying a lovely pinkish-purple shade. They emerge above a fuzzy foliage, very aromatic when touched. It often changes colour in autumn and persists when the winter is not too cold. It is a shade-loving plant well adapted to cold winters, dry summers, and alkaline soils.

Geranium macrorrhizum Olympos was discovered in 1996 on the eastern slope of Mount Olympus, Greece. In its native lands it thrives on rocky scree and poor soils that are dry in summer. This large rhizomatous Geranium is an herbaceous plant of the Geraniaceae family, with a perennial stump, which grows in colonies in the understory of woodlands. The 'Olympos' variety is distinguished by smaller and less hairy leaves, as well as flowers of a lovely colour ranging between pink and violet, which stand out well in shaded areas. The plant forms a dense mat-like clump, about 30-35 cm (12-14in) tall when in bloom and at least 50 cm (20in) wide. Through trailing, thick, and fleshy rhizomes, it spreads quite rapidly and can eventually form a wide and very effective carpet. Flowering mainly takes place from April to June, depending on the climate, and can sporadically occur in summer, in cool soil. The 5-petaled flowers measure about 2 cm (1in) in diameter and are gathered in corymbs carried by stems above the foliage. The latter, more or less evergreen in winter, consists of round, deeply divided leaves with seven medium green lobes. Their surface, covered with glandular hairs loaded with essential oil, is slightly sticky to the touch. Their strong, pungent, and long-lasting scent is somewhat reminiscent of rhubarb. They adorn themselves with beautiful autumnal colours, red, orange, or bronze.

Geranium macrorrhizum Olympos is an excellent perennial that every enthusiast should welcome into their garden due to its ease of cultivation in all regions and the invaluable services it provides in choking off weeds. In open woodland it can be associated with small periwinkles, small Naples cyclamen, or epimediums. On the edge of a sunny bed, it will accompany Teucrium chamaedrys, Stachys, or the coral pink-flowered Heuchera Firefly. A border of Geranium macrorrhizum Olympos will form a very elegant festoon at the foot of an evergreen shrub hedge.