Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’

An exceptionally useful hardy geranium, combining vivid flowers, aromatic foliage and superb ground-covering ability.

‘Bevan’s Variety’ produces masses of bright magenta-pink flowers in late spring and early summer, held above rounded, aromatic green foliage. The leaves develop attractive reddish and bronze tones as the seasons change and can remain semi-evergreen in milder, sheltered gardens. Its flowers are particularly valuable to bees and other early-season pollinators.

Tough and adaptable, this geranium thrives in sun or partial shade and is especially useful in those difficult areas of dry shade beneath trees and established shrubs. It spreads steadily by rhizomes to create a dense, weed-suppressing carpet, making it excellent for banks, border edges and naturalistic planting. Once established, it is remarkably drought tolerant.

Specifications

• Height: 30–40cm

• Spread: 50–60cm+

• Flowering: May to July

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Most well-drained soils, including relatively dry soils

• Hardiness: Fully hardy

• Habit: Spreading, rhizomatous ground cover

• Maintenance: Very low, remove tired foliage if required

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting

A particularly useful choice for Isle of Wight gardens where dry summers can make planting beneath established trees and shrubs challenging. Once established, ‘Bevan’s Variety’ copes well with periods of dry weather and makes an excellent low-maintenance ground cover. It is also a good option for more exposed gardens thanks to its naturally tough constitution.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range

• Hakonechloa macra – a beautiful combination for partial shade, contrasting the geranium's broad foliage with soft, arching grass.

• Anemone praecox – extends the season with delicate late-summer flowers rising above established ground cover.

• Fatsia japonica – ‘Bevan’s Variety’ makes a tough, attractive carpet beneath its bold evergreen foliage.

• Fatsia ‘Spider’s Web’ – the variegated leaves provide a striking foliage contrast in sheltered shade.

• Geranium ‘Rozanne’ – useful nearby in brighter areas, continuing the geranium display with blue-violet flowers well into autumn.

• Euphorbia purpurea – contrasting purple foliage and fresh spring growth work beautifully alongside the vivid magenta flowers.

🌟 The Green Standard Tip

This is one to use where you actually want a plant to cover the ground, rather than simply fill a gap. Plant several beneath shrubs or along the front of a shady border and allow them to knit together. Once established, the dense foliage helps suppress weeds and covers otherwise awkward bare soil beautifully.