Erodium variabile 'Bishop's Form'

Erodium × variabile 'Bishop's Form', commonly known as stork's bill or heron's bill, is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial prized for its extended blooming period and delicate foliage. This hybrid forms compact cushions of grey-green, slightly hairy, lobed leaves. From late spring through autumn (May to October), it produces numerous small, star-shaped flowers with pink to carmine-pink petals, marked by prominent dark pink veins and a lighter center.

This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils. It is ideal for rock gardens, stone walls, containers, border edges, and as a ground cover between paving stones. Its compact growth habit and drought tolerance make it suitable for low-maintenance gardens.

Maintenance is straightforward: regular deadheading encourages prolonged blooming. A light trim in spring helps maintain a neat appearance. It remains evergreen in mild winters and is hardy down to approximately -10 °C (USDA zone 7).

Ecologically, this plant attracts bees and butterflies, contributing to garden biodiversity.