Bevan's Variety Bigroot Geranium

Bevan's Variety Bigroot Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety')

Bevan's Variety Bigroot Geranium is a tough, fragrant groundcover that fills in quickly and makes difficult spots look planted on purpose. Also known as cranesbill geranium, it spreads into a dense mat that helps suppress weeds while staying easy to manage. In late spring and early summer, bright magenta to purplish-pink blooms hover above the foliage and add a clean hit of color in sun or shade. It is especially valuable in dry shade, where many flowering perennials struggle to look full.

Distinctive Features

This semi-evergreen perennial forms a low, spreading carpet of rounded, deeply lobed leaves that release a strong, pleasant scent when brushed. Flower clusters appear above the foliage in late spring into early summer, typically in vivid magenta to purplish-pink tones with noticeable darker sepals. The foliage often takes on red to bronze tints in fall, extending seasonal interest after bloom. Thick rhizomes help it knit into a durable groundcover that holds up well in mixed borders and underplantings.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best performance in part shade in hotter regions.
• Soil: Average, well-drained soil is ideal, and it tolerates poorer soils once established.
• Water: Moderate moisture during establishment, then low to moderate water, with good drought tolerance once established.
• USDA Zones: USDA Zones 4 to 8.
• Humidity: Performs best with decent airflow, and overly humid, crowded plantings can reduce vigor.
• Dry Shade: Tolerates dry shade well once established, making it useful under trees and along foundations.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a broad drift at the front of a bed so the magenta blooms create a bright ribbon of color at ground level.
• Groundcover: Use to knit open soil into a weed-suppressing mat that keeps borders looking finished.
• Dry Shade: Plant under trees and shrubs where roots compete and many perennials thin out.
• Edging: Line paths and bed fronts for a soft, fragrant edge that stays low and tidy.
• Slope Planting: Use on banks to help cover soil and reduce weedy gaps with a spreading habit.

Low Maintenance Care

• Deadheading: Shear lightly after bloom to refresh foliage and keep the mat looking neat.
• Watering: Water during extended drought for best bloom and foliage quality, especially in sunnier exposures.
• Division: Divide or lift and replant sections every few years if you want to control spread or rejuvenate density.
• Mulching: Mulch lightly to reduce weeds and stabilize moisture, keeping mulch off the crowns for airflow.
• Cleanup: Remove tired leaves in late winter or early spring so fresh growth can emerge cleanly.

Why Choose Bevan's Variety Bigroot Geranium?

• Weed Suppression: Spreads into a dense mat that helps crowd out weeds in beds and underplantings.
• Fragrant Foliage: Aromatic leaves add an extra sensory layer, especially along walkways.
• Bloom Color: Magenta to purplish-pink flowers brighten shaded spots and pair easily with spring bulbs and woodland perennials.
• Mature Size: Typically grows about 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads about 18 to 24 inches wide.
• Deer Resistance: Often considered deer and rabbit resistant, though browsing pressure can vary by location.

If you need a reliable groundcover that handles shade, covers soil, and still brings real flower color, Bevan's Variety Bigroot Geranium is a strong choice. Plant it where you want a fragrant, low carpet that looks good with minimal input. Once established, it keeps working season after season, filling gaps and making the landscape feel more complete.