Balkan geranium or large-rhizomed geranium

Family Geraniaceae. Naturally occurs on the subalpine meadows of the Alps, Balkans, and Carpathians. Introduced into cultivation in the 17th century.

Perennial plant. It differs from other geraniums by a long, thick rhizome up to 1.5 cm in diameter, branching across the soil surface. Thanks to its rapidly spreading rhizome, the large-rhizomed geranium forms a dense, compact patch. From the rhizome arise rosettes of basal leaves on long petioles up to 20 cm. The leaves are oblong-ovate, 6-10 cm wide, divided into 5-7 lobes, coarsely toothed at the margin, shiny green. Stems rise 5-10 cm above the leaf mass. Umbel-like flower stalks bear numerous bright purple or reddish flowers up to 3 cm in diameter. The geranium blooms in June and flowers for 20-30 days. Seeds ripen in late July–August.

The whole plant is downy and very fragrant. A stand of geranium on a hot sunny day smells of the south and of mountains, even when it grows in wooded areas. The appearance of the patch is very attractive throughout the season; sometimes the leaves even overwinter. But usually in October–November the leaves take on a red or golden coloration, which is very beautiful. The large-rhizomed geranium can be used in rockeries, where it spreads around stones, accentuating their beauty. In mixed flowerbeds it is planted in the foreground. Here it serves as a background for taller plants such as a pale cornflower, coreopsis, oenothera, and potentilla.

A long-lived and trouble-free plant. It is a creeping, ground-covering shrub up to 30 cm high. The leaf is palmately compound, deeply divided, large, bright green, sticky and aromatic. In autumn it becomes brick-red. Inflorescences range from whitish-pink to carmine, shield-shaped. Blooms in June, often again closer to autumn.