Russell Studebaker is a professional horticulturist, book author and garden writer in Tulsa and can be reached at russell.studebaker@cox.net.
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TulsaPeople APRIL 2015
A great geranium
The 2015 Perennial Plant of the Year is a wise choice for Tulsa gardens. by RUSSELL STUDEBAKER Geranium xcantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’
Todd Boland
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T P P A’ Plant of the Year is a geranium — the Biokovo. This winter hardy shade-loving geranium is not the annual tropical plant so often seen in flowerpots and window boxes. It works well in many garden areas — rock gardens, borders, containers, front edgings and as a ground cover. Other pluses: The Biokovo attracts butterflies and is resistant to deer and rabbit damage. It does not need frequent dividing like other perennials, but can be divided in spring or fall. Additionally, Biokovo does not become leggy or messy looking like other perennial geraniums — and the 1-inch diameter evergreen leaves are aromatic and red-bronze in winter. A naturally occurring hybrid, its name comes from its origin, the Biokovo Mountains in the Dalmatica region of present-day Croatia. Growing in a mounding habit to 6-8 inches in height, it displays 3/4-inch white five-petaled flowers tinged with pink. Its darker pink stamens give the flowers an overall pink color. Flowering progresses from May through June or early July, and it may repeat in September. Plant Biokovo about 8 inches apart in an organic, well-drained soil. Shade is essential. Here’s the advice of one veteran Tulsa nursery grower. “I like planting them where they get afternoon shade by 2 p.m., and in that position they do not require extra watering,” says Anne Pinc of Collector’s Garden Nursery at the Tulsa’s Farmers’ Market. She adds, “These geraniums are somewhat drought tolerant in my garden, and I do not water this bed often — only in periods of extreme dryness or when I see a wilted plant. And, I would consider these plants to be grown on the dry side in my garden.” Combine Biokovo with epimediums, ferns, hostas, astilbes, Solomon’s Seal, hellebores, heucheras and other shade perennials. My grandmother always said, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Pinc echoes this adage when she says, “Having grown the ‘Biokovo’ geraniums for over 15 years, it is one of the best hardy perennial geraniums for Oklahoma.” tþ
The Perennial Plant Association is an independent group that promotes, educates and conducts research on perennials, their use in design and maintenance techniques. Established in Ohio in 1984, the PPA has more than 1,600 members internationally and consists of landscape designers, growers, retailers and gardeners. Each year it chooses and promotes one outstanding perennial. Past perennial plant of the year winners are ‘Becky’ Shasta Daisy, ‘David’ Perennial Phlox, ‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass and ‘Goldsturm’ Rudbeckia. These selections all have proven successful in Tulsa gardens.
FIND BIOKOVO LOCALLY: Anne’s Collector’s Garden Nursery, 918-497-0409 at the Tulsa Farmers’ Market-Cherry Street; Colebrook Nursery; Sanders Nursery, Broken Arrow; Southwood Landscape & Garden Center; and Stringer Nursery. Mail Order Source: Bluestone Perennials, Madison, Ohio; 800-852-5243, www.bluestoneperennials.com.