Geranium macrorrhizum: The Best Groundcover for Sun or Shade
In search of easy, good looking, hardworking and adaptable with an all-around pleasant disposition. Sounds more like a dating app profile wish list than a plant description but the latter is exactly what it is. And my prince charming, or the plant version of it, is a pretty amazing perennial that checks all my must-haves. You’ll want to “swipe right” too on Geranium macrorrhizum, or bigroot geranium as it’s more commonly known.
To my knowledge, few plants can thrive in sun or shade, heavy clay or sandy loam. But I’m confident Geranium macrorrhizum (hardy in zones 3-8) can and it’s why I use it liberally throughout my garden in all sorts of light situations. About 10 years ago, I bought three gallon-sized plants from a local nursery and planted them at the base of my Prairiefire crabapple tree in the front garden. Overtime, I removed pieces from the original clumps and planted them around the blue hosta divisions I received from my neighbor. At the time, I was thinking of it as a weed suppressant and temporary soil cover more than an actual plant combination. As the plants knit together and formed an impenetrable barrier, I fell more in love with this underestimated plant. I like a good underdog!
Not the sort to scream for attention like a David Austin rose or an Asiatic lily, Geranium maccrorrhizum is quiet and steady and may often go unnoticed which hardly seems fair for such a workhorse. Oftentimes, it’s the workhorses that get overlooked which is why I’m writing this as I think this little plant with the big heart is worthy of a space in every garden because every garden has a challenging spot or two..
I appreciate a plant that doesn’t require much from me. Aside from getting it established with the occasional drink, and I mean “occasional” in the loosest way as I’m not the most conscientious waterer, this plant wants to live. No drama here, just determination. So there’s really no care plan. How many perennials can you say that about? There’s not much to do after planting as it takes care of itself, spreading kindly by shallow rhizomes to form perfect pillows of deeply lobed, slightly fuzzy leaves.
As you may or may not know, I have a rabbit issue and this plant goes untouched because of the leaf texture. I’m guessing because who really knows what motivates these garden villains? Sometimes I think they mow things down just because they know how precious a plant is to a gardener. I’m anthropomorphizing here to a certain extent but I’m convinced they like to stick it to me.
Back to the leaves, they’re scented too which is likely another reason why Geranium macrorrhizum is ignored by garden pests. I have to admit I’m not especially fond of the scent which reminds me of mosquito repellant. Unless you’re down low with it though and deliberately rubbing the leaves, you won’t smell it in the garden. It’s not like a Casa Blanca lily in that way.
The power of this groundcover lies in leaves that stay tidy all season, turning a deep maroon in the fall and remaining semi-evergreen through the winter months. At a foot tall and two feet wide, it’s an ideal plant beneath trees and shrubs where it can do double-duty as both a weed suppressant and a tidy little spreader. If flowers are your thing, you’ll get them but they won’t slap you in the face with their beauty. Don’t get me wrong. The small fuchsia flowers are lovely and long-lived but one doesn’t plant it for the flowers.
When what you need is a plant that does a job quietly, effectively and with grace, Geranium macrorrhizum has it in spades.
Any good plug sources for this plant available to the public? It seems very hard to find in my area. Thanks!
Hi Melissa, it’s not commonly offered at nurseries and garden centers. I’m in the Chicago area and have seen it at The Growing Place in Naperville. I’d call around to see if you can find it locally. It is available mail order through places like Bluestone Perennials and White Flower Farm, but that’s costly.
We have a long lane and two large stumps at the end from cutting our dead willows , couldn’t afford to remove.
Do you think these geraniums would work planted around them, gets quite a bit of sun until mid to late afternoon. Great post
Hi Linda, I think they have a good chance as long as you water them regularly for the first month or so until they’ve settled in.
We can’t seem to grow anything under our maple trees in the front yard. It is becoming more and more unsightly every year. Do you think this plant would grow there?
I think it has a good chance as long as you keep an eye on it as it’s establishing. It’s going to have plenty of root competition from the maples so consistent watering that first month or so is going to be crucial
My periwinkle thrives under my red maples, however if you like something more dense st. John’s worst is absolutely beautiful!
Hi Chris! Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check them both out.
Oh my goodness! You can tell which baby bunny will be named Peter!! I am going to start searching for this Geranium in NC.
It’s such an under appreciated plant and I hope you can find it. It’s not common in the big box stores but you may find it at nurseries and certainly through mail-order catalogs like Bluestone Perennials and White Flower Farm, but they can be expensive and shipping adds to the expense.
I’ve been growing this plant in nearly every outer border of our 3/4 acre property for 16 plus years, starting under spruce trees where it was hard to dig out little bits of space in between the shallow roots to plant the “big” roots. Even though the planting site was far from perfect, bigroot geranium thrived. Perhaps if readers check Facebook Marketplace regularly in their own area, they will find an affordable local source for bigroot. Or placing your own ad that you are looking for the plant in your area may help. I have sold lots of it online in my community. I love this plant as the spring blooms en masse (especially in shade) are lovely and the foliage looks great in sun or shade spring to fall. And it is easy to remove if it spreads further than you want it to. It makes my life SO SO MUCH easier as I’ve been able to reduce the weedy grass areas to small remnants with help from easy care bigroot and by expanding my regular garden beds over the years. Cats used to be regular visitors to our yard, but since planting bigroot we haven’t had a cat visitor for years. How I hated coming across cat poo when working in my garden beds back then. Apparently the oils in the leaves rub off on cat fur and it irritates the cat when cleaning its fur. On another topic, like you I read Nature’s Best Hope (2 1/2 years ago). I’m am only planting native plants now. I am keeping my tried and true non-native plants since many (including big root) are fine for the generalist native bees, while I introduce more straight natives each year for the specialist native bees, etc.
It’s a wonderful and underused plant that you can’t fully appreciate until you actually experience it in your garden.
I just came across cat 💩 in the garden a few weeks ago and it really grosses me out. They frequent an area in the front yard that doesn’t have geranium.
Wasn’t that book enlightening? I think it should be required reading in all schools. Matter of fact, I can’t understand why this isn’t part of the curriculum.
What a workhorse this plant is. Absolutely stunning en masse. My life-saver. I plan to move some around to naked areas soon. I believe I have the Bevan’s version.
And yes, 2024 season Bunnies tore my soul. Worse year ever. Japanese Ferns, everything of value. And man they love Hakenocloa grass! To the point I can’t even own it here & really don’t want to make cages for them.
Can’t go wrong with a great groundcover that’s both pollinator friendly and deer and rabbit resistant. Sorry to hear about the damage those rabbits caused. It is heartbreaking.