Biokovo Cranesbill
Biokovo Cranesbill
An Award-Winning Groundcover for Sun or Shade
Biokovo Cranesbill (Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Biokovo') is a Perennial Plant of the Year winner beloved for its effortless beauty. Delicate white flowers blushed with soft pink cover the glossy, aromatic foliage in early summer, and the leaves blaze brilliant red in fall before holding through winter. Low, dense, and tough, it carpets edges, slopes, and beds in sun or part shade — a deer-resistant favorite for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Eden Prairie.
Biokovo Cranesbill Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' |
| Mature Size | 6–10 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Late spring into early summer |
| Flower Color | White blushed with pink |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates Minnesota clay-loam and average drainage |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits |
| Fall Color | Brilliant red foliage |
Landscape Uses
Low groundcover and edging: Forms a tidy, weed-suppressing carpet in sun or shade. Space 16–18 inches apart for full coverage.
Deer-resistant slopes and beds: Aromatic leaves keep browsers away while the spreading mat holds soil and adds fall color. Pair with hostas, catmint, and ornamental grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Water through the first season; it grows tougher and more drought-tolerant each year.
How to Plant Biokovo Cranesbill
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, loosening clay and mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2 inches deep. Space 16–18 inches apart.
Watering Biokovo Cranesbill
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells.
Q: Sun or shade?
Both — Biokovo flowers well in full sun and tolerates part shade, making it one of the most versatile groundcovers available.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — the aromatic foliage is strongly disliked by deer and rabbits.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4, semi-evergreen, no winter protection needed.
Q: How fast does it spread?
Steadily but not aggressively — it fills in over two seasons and is easy to keep in bounds.
You May Also Like
Karmina Cranesbill (Geranium cantabrigiense): The deeper rose-pink sister selection.
Bevan's Variety Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum): A taller aromatic geranium for dry shade.
Hosta: A bold-leaved shade partner that contrasts with Biokovo's fine foliage.
How Many Biokovo Cranesbill Do I Need?
This low spreader knits into a carpet at about 16 in. spacing, with each plant covering close to 2 sq ft. Use this guide to fill an edge or slope:
| Area to Cover | Plants Needed (≈16 in. apart) |
|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | 14 |
| 50 sq ft | 28 |
| 100 sq ft | 56 |
| 200 sq ft | 112 |
Along a border front, space a single row 16 in. apart; a cluster of 3–5 fills a small bed in two seasons.
Biokovo Cranesbill Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Glossy aromatic foliage greens up, with the first white-and-pink flowers opening in late spring.
- Summer: Bloom carries into early summer over a dense, weed-smothering mat that holds up in sun or shade.
- Fall: Foliage blazes brilliant red — one of the best fall shows of any groundcover.
- Winter: Semi-evergreen leaves hold on through the cold, keeping the bed covered.
At a Glance
✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Four-Season Interest
Plant It With
- Karmina Cranesbill — the deeper rose-pink sister selection for a two-tone carpet.
- Bevan's Variety Cranesbill — a taller bigroot geranium for the dry-shade end of the bed.
- Little Bluestem — a sun-loving native grass that rises behind the low geranium mat.
- Alexandria Brunnera — silver foliage and blue spring flowers for the shadier edge.
Is Biokovo Cranesbill Right for Your Yard?
Biokovo is one of the most adaptable groundcovers around — it carpets sunny edges, lightly shaded beds, and slopes in average, well-drained soil, and deer leave it alone. Not a fit for deep, wet shade: in soggy ground with little light it flowers poorly and the crown can rot, so give it some sun and good drainage.