Last year I pulled this variegated Geranium macrorrhizum out of its location along the main path through the Sacred Grove where most of my special flowering plants live. It tends to flop and the leaves require a lot of pruning to keep the plant looking its best. But since it is very hardy and not bothered by pests, I decided to save it. However I put it in a less obvious location because its creamy variegation does bring light into a deeply shady area.
I gave Astrantia major 'Vanilla Gorilla' the starring location and it has proved worthy of my trust. True, it also gets some leaf browning but not nearly as much as the Geranium. It has a more attractive leaf color, grows in a more dense clump and made it thought its first winter which was one for the books. Last September, I was wondering if I made the right choice. This fall, I know I did.
