Geranium ‘Biokovo Karmina’ is a favored perennial among gardeners, known for its resilience and adaptability. This plant offers attractive foliage and delicate blooms, making it a reliable, low-maintenance choice for various garden settings.
Meet Geranium Biokovo Karmina
Geranium ‘Biokovo Karmina’ is a cultivar of hardy geranium, often referred to as Cranesbill. It is a naturally occurring hybrid of Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum, discovered in the Biokovo Mountains of Croatia. This plant forms a low, mounding habit, typically reaching a height of 6 to 12 inches and spreading up to 18 to 24 inches wide. Its foliage consists of aromatic, deeply lobed, shiny green leaves that can turn reddish in the fall, providing extended seasonal interest.
From late spring through mid-summer, ‘Biokovo Karmina’ produces masses of five-petaled, rose-pink to lilac-pink flowers that open from darker red buds. These dainty blossoms are held on wiry stems above the foliage, attracting pollinators like butterflies. It offers practical benefits, including drought tolerance once established, and resistance to deer and rabbits. It was recognized as the Perennial Plant of the Year in 2015, highlighting its suitability for a wide range of climates.
Planting and Growing Conditions
Proper site selection is important for Geranium ‘Biokovo Karmina’. This plant performs well in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, morning sun with afternoon shade helps protect the plant from intense heat, though it tolerates full sun in cooler regions. The ideal soil is well-drained and enriched with organic matter, such as compost or leaf mold.
While adaptable to various soil types, including sandy or acidic soils, good drainage is necessary to prevent waterlogging. It thrives in average to moist soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. When planting, dig a hole no deeper than the container, but at least 6 inches wider. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil, then backfill gently. Water thoroughly to settle the soil. Consistent watering for about six weeks helps establish a strong root system. ‘Biokovo Karmina’ is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8.
Ongoing Care and Maintenance
Once established, Geranium ‘Biokovo Karmina’ requires minimal care. Water moderately, especially during dry spells, though it tolerates drought well. Extended drought may reduce flower production. Regular watering is beneficial during blooming.
Fertilization needs are low; preparing the soil with organic matter at planting is often sufficient. If desired, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in spring.
Pruning involves deadheading spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming and tidiness. After the main bloom in mid-summer, shear foliage back to about 1 inch from the ground to rejuvenate the plant and promote new growth and a sporadic second bloom.
This plant is generally resistant to most pests and diseases, though occasional issues like leaf spots or rusts can occur. Minimal winter care is needed; in warmer zones, the foliage may remain semi-evergreen, but in colder areas, it can be trimmed back in late fall or early spring.
Using Geranium Biokovo Karmina in Your Garden
Geranium ‘Biokovo Karmina’ offers diverse applications in garden design due to its compact, spreading habit and extended bloom time. It functions well as a groundcover, forming a dense mat that can help suppress weeds. Its modest height of 6-12 inches makes it suitable for the front of borders or as an edging plant along pathways. The plant also thrives in rock gardens, where its mounding form and delicate flowers complement stone features.
This perennial can be used in mass plantings to create sweeps of color and texture, or in containers as a filler around taller plants. Its deep rose to lilac-pink flowers provide a soft contrast against its aromatic green foliage. Companion plants that pair well with ‘Biokovo Karmina’ include those with contrasting textures or colors, such as Salvia, Creeping Phlox, Coneflower, and Blue Fescue, enhancing the overall garden aesthetic.