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Monday, May 30, 2011

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'

  This lovely perennial geranium, Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' (that is Geranium, not the tropical Pelargonium that are sold as bedding this time of year) grows all over Gilmore Gardens with its pungently scented foliage and pretty pop-pink flowers that bloom May into June.
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' in our backyard.
   It has a nicely mounded form that bulks up quickly in the right conditions. It prefers shade and loose, rich soil.  I first divided my three potted plants each into three parts, and I divide and spread it most springs and falls. It now lines both sides of our backyard fence. 

   To make more divisions, choose a shoot and slide your hand along the rhizome back to where it meets the earth. Pull/tear it off from the parent plant, making sure to get at least 4 inches of brown root. Bury this root segment, leaving the green part above ground. The leaves will look wilted, but if you keep the new transplant watered it will soon rebound and make fresh leaves that stand straight up.

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety'

Close up of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' with raindrops

Close up of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' with raindrops

Close up of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' with raindrops

Close up of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' with raindrops

I dedicate this post to our good friends... team Bevan (that is Bev + Evan). :)

For more photos of how G. 'Bevan's Variety' fits into the plantings at Gilmore Gardens, see The Shade Path in 2011 and Favorite Garden Combinations of 2010.
Close up of Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' with sunshine in petals

12 comments:

  1. JAS--May 30, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Just beautiful pictures of blooms and raindrops!

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  2. JanetMay 31, 2011 at 2:05 AM

    Hardy geraniums make such a lovely show. Your photos really do them justice.

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  3. OliviaMay 31, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Such lovely pictures!
    Love all the closeups:)

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  4. greggoMay 31, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Like those geraniums too. Have 4 varieties

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  5. Diana StuderMay 31, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Came to read the post that has popped up on My picked posts ;~)

    Pelargoniums may seem tropical from Pennsylvania, but they are South Africans from a temperate mediterranean climate. Not frostproof I grant you!

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  6. Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade GardensMay 31, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    This is a great hardy geranium--very hardy and great color. Your photos really bring out all its good points.

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  7. Pam's English GardenMay 31, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Dear Julie, Hardy geranium is so reliable. I love mine. Your photography is stunning! P. x

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  8. The Sage ButterflyMay 31, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    The color and form are so delicate...and with your photos...just lovely!

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  9. BeverlyJune 1, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Nice Bevans. -Bevan :)

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  10. Kelly (The Sorry Gardener)June 10, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    I have beds of these. Nice and tidy in drifts and carefree to grow. I can always tell when the dogs have walked through them because they come into the house smelling spicy.

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  11. AnonymousApril 28, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    After reading your post, I tried dividing my Bevan's Geranium as you described last spring (May 2014). It worked amazingly well and was so easy. I planted 62 new plants along a retaining wall and just one year later, they are gorgeous...and have spread and grown so much! It was so successful, I did another 34 this spring (April 2015). Saved so much money by avoiding the nursery purchases and simply dividing from my own plants. -Z Gardener in Glenwood MD.

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    Replies
    1. Wife, Mother, GardenerApril 28, 2015 at 9:42 PM

      Thank you so much for letting me know! So glad that I could help out a little bit. :) They do well in the shade too, if you have any bare areas underneath of mature trees. I am hoping to divide mine again this summer and fill out our new woodland at Havenwood.
      Thanks again!
      ~Julie

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