Arboretum Spotlight: Biokovo geranium has it made in shade

This is one part in a weekly series featuring the UC Davis Arboretum’s “40 Plants You (Probably) Have Never Heard of – But Will Love,” 40 can’t-fail, easy-care, low-water plants well adapted to our region but hard to find.

Biokovo geranium

Geranium X cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’

Size: Clumps 6 to 10 inches high and wide.

Bloom season: Pale pink flowers in spring.

Exposure: Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade.

Pruning needs: None.

Water needs: Medium to low water; once established, irrigate once a week or less.

Snapshot: Many geraniums offer a lot of color with not that much water. This Biokovo hybrid is a particular standout. It forms a spreading but compact clump, covered in attractive, dark-green and shiny foliage with rounded lobes. In spring, Biokovo features masses of 3/4-inch white flowers tinged with pink at the base of each petal. This geranium does best with a mix of morning sun and afternoon shade. The shiny foliage makes a handsome foil in shady areas contrasting with more upright perennials and blue or variegated foliage plants.

For more on “40 Plants,” click on arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Arboretum Spotlight: Biokovo geranium has it made in shade."