The Perennial Plant Association has announced its “2015 Perennial Plant of the Year” – Geranium x cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’.

Family: Geraniaceae

Genus: Geranium

Species: x cantabrigiense

Cultivar: Biokovo

A stunning addition to any garden, Cranesbill ‘Biokovo’ is a low-maintenance, long-blooming hardy geranium. It will grow well in full sun and part shade to a height of 12 to 18 inches and up to 36 inches wide. It will not bloom if planed in full shade.

With dark green foliage and light pink blooms, ‘Biokovo’ plant will provide delicate color form early spring right through to late summer.

Occurring naturally in Croatia’s Biokovo Mountains on the Dalmation Coast of the Mediterranean, ‘Biokovo’ has a medium growth rate, will adapt to most soil types and performs well in borders, edgings, alpine plantings, containers or when used as a ground cover. It’s even deer and rabbit resistant!

This plant is quite drought resistant once established, easy to split in either the spring or fall and is hardy from zones 5a (-28.8°C/-20 °F) to 9a ( -6.6 °C/20 °F).

Geranium trivia – Cranesbill geraniums get their name from the shape of the seed – it’s actually quite similar to the beak-like appearance of a cranes bill.