Geranium 'Striatum'

Geranium 'Striatum': A Soft-Spoken Star for the Shade
Low-growing and delicately detailed, Geranium 'Striatum' (also known as Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo Striatum') weaves a quiet beauty into the garden with its pale pink blooms veined in rose and its gently spreading, semi-evergreen foliage. Blooming from late spring through early summer, this tidy groundcover brings a soft, natural feel to shaded beds, woodland paths, and underplantings. Its aromatic leaves, long-lasting charm, and subtle colour make it an ideal companion for layered, low-maintenance landscapes.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–25 cm
• Spread: 40–60 cm, slowly spreading by rhizomes
• Flower Colour: Pale pink with darker rose-pink veining
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer, with light rebloom possible in autumn
• Foliage: Deeply lobed, aromatic green leaves that flush reddish in autumn; semi-evergreen
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained to dry soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Geranium 'Striatum' is a graceful groundcover for softening the edges of garden beds, paths, and woodland borders. It forms a dense, weed-suppressing carpet that provides spring pollinator support and seasonal foliage interest. Its subtly veined flowers and trailing habit make it a lovely underplanting for shrubs or tall perennials, and its tidy form suits both informal and more structured garden designs.

Companion Plants: Pair Geranium 'Striatum' with Tiarella 'Sugar and Spice', whose frosted, lobed leaves and blush-pink spring flowers echo the geranium’s gentle colouring while thriving in the same part-shade conditions. Add Carex 'Everglow', whose fine, arching blades and coppery tones in cooler months mirror the seasonal foliage of Striatum and add graceful movement. Finish the planting with Polygonatum multiflorum, whose arching stems and dangling white bells offer height, elegance, and late spring drama above the geranium’s floral carpet.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Water during the first growing season to establish, then reduce as the plant becomes drought-tolerant. Shear lightly after flowering to refresh foliage and encourage a tidy habit. Divide every 3–4 years in spring or fall to rejuvenate growth and manage spread.

History: Geranium 'Striatum' is a refined selection from the Geranium x cantabrigiense group—a natural hybrid between Geranium macrorrhizum and Geranium dalmaticum. Originally discovered in the Biokovo Mountains of Croatia, this particular form was selected for its soft colouring and delicate veining, offering a slightly more refined look than the better-known Geranium 'Biokovo'.

Final Thoughts: With its lace-like blooms, fragrant foliage, and gentle groundcover habit, Geranium 'Striatum' brings harmony and grace to part-shade and sun-dappled gardens. Whether lining a woodland path or softening the feet of shrubs, it blends strength with delicacy—an easygoing classic with year-round appeal and quiet charisma.