Practical
Plants

Geranium macrorrhizum

Bigroot Geranium

a perennial member of the Geranium genus in the family Geraniaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.5 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Aphrodisiac[9].

Product or use
Aphrodisiac

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The very aromatic leaves have been used in the past as a source of geranium oil[1]. They are used in pot-pourri and perfumery[7]. A good dense ground cover plant[3][4]. A very effective weed smotherer[1][2]. Plants grow rampantly, rooting as they spread[5]. They should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[5].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Pot-pourri

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
C. Europe. A garden escape in Britain in S. Devon.
Habitat
Amongst limestone rocks, screes, in woods and scrub to 2100 metres[1]. Shady places, especially in mountains[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, virtually every bit of a divided plant, whether it has roots or not, will grow away and produce roots[2]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in dry or moist situations, in sun or light shade[1][4]. Succeeds even in deep shade[5]. Tolerates a wide range of soil types, succeeding in any moderately fertile retentive soil[4]. Calcicole[8]. Established plants are drought resistant[2]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[6].

References

  1. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  8. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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