Geranium 'Ingwersen's Variety'

Geranium 'Ingwersen’s Variety': Woodland Elegance with a Fragrant Touch
Refined and resilient, Geranium 'Ingwersen’s Variety' is a graceful groundcover that combines aromatic foliage with delicate, shell-pink blooms. This cultivated form of bigroot geranium is treasured for its semi-evergreen habit, ability to thrive in dry shade, and subtle seasonal beauty. Flowering in late spring, its soft-pink flowers hover above a dense mat of finely lobed, spicy-scented leaves that deepen to warm red and bronze hues in autumn—offering year-round interest and enduring charm.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–30 cm
• Spread: 45–60+ cm, spreading by thick rhizomes
• Flower Colour: Pale pink with violet veins and showy stamens
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Aromatic, deeply lobed green leaves; semi-evergreen with red and bronze fall tones
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to full shade (best in partial shade)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained to dry soils; tolerates drought once established

Uses and Benefits: Geranium 'Ingwersen’s Variety' is a superb choice for groundcover under shrubs and trees, where it forms a weed-suppressing carpet that provides texture and subtle colour. Its aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits, while its low, spreading habit adds cohesion to shaded borders and woodland gardens. This variety is especially valuable for dry shade, where few plants thrive as reliably, and its early-season blooms offer nectar for pollinators.

Companion Plants: Pair Geranium 'Ingwersen’s Variety' with Hosta 'June', whose gold and blue-green leaves illuminate shady spots and provide a broad-leaved contrast. Add Dryopteris 'Toothed Wood Fern', whose fine, upright fronds echo the ferny texture of the geranium while offering vertical rhythm. Complete the pairing with Pulmonaria 'Moonshine', whose silver foliage and pale flowers highlight the geranium’s softness and extend interest into spring.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to full shade with well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first season; once established, this variety is highly drought-tolerant. Shear lightly after blooming to neaten the mound and encourage fresh growth. Divide every 3–5 years in spring or fall to rejuvenate and control spread.

History: Selected in the early 20th century by German botanist Walter Ingwersen, Geranium 'Ingwersen’s Variety' has since become a classic in woodland and shade gardening. Derived from Geranium macrorrhizum, a species native to the Balkans, it maintains the durability and medicinal legacy of its ancestors while offering a more delicate floral presentation and tidy form.

Final Thoughts: Soft in bloom, rich in texture, and quietly dependable, Geranium 'Ingwersen’s Variety' is a shade garden staple with timeless appeal. It blends seamlessly into naturalistic plantings and structured borders alike, providing beauty, fragrance, and ecological value with grace. For gardeners seeking a groundcover that offers both performance and poise, this variety stands the test of time.