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A charming and long-flowering hardy perennial, Erodium 'Bishop's Form' (Heron's bill) is a compact, mound-forming plant that produces a succession ...
View full detailsHardy Flowering Perennials for Rockeries, Gravel Gardens & Sunny Borders
Erodium, commonly known as Heron's Bill, is a charming low-growing perennial prized for its delicate flowers, attractive foliage and exceptionally long flowering season. Closely related to Geraniums, Erodium plants form neat, compact mounds that are perfect for bringing colour and texture to the front of borders, rockeries, gravel gardens and containers.
From spring through summer, and often well into autumn, Erodium produces masses of pretty saucer-shaped flowers held just above the foliage. Depending on the variety, flowers can range from soft pink and white to deeper rose and magenta shades, often featuring attractive veining or contrasting markings.
Compact, hardy and easy to grow, Erodium is an excellent choice for sunny areas where a dependable, long-flowering plant is required.
Erodium combines a compact growing habit with an impressively long flowering period, making it particularly useful for smaller spaces and the front of planting schemes.
Key benefits include:
Erodium performs particularly well in sunny, well-drained positions and is ideal for areas where larger perennials could become overpowering.
Its naturally compact habit makes it an excellent choice for:
Erodium also looks particularly effective when planted between rocks, along pathways or allowed to soften the edges of raised beds and containers.
For the best flowering display, plant Erodium in full sun and well-drained soil.
Good drainage is particularly important, especially during the colder and wetter months. Erodium generally performs better in lighter soils than in ground that remains wet or waterlogged for prolonged periods.
For best results, plant in:
Once established, many varieties have good drought tolerance, making Erodium an excellent addition to lower-maintenance and dry planting schemes.
In spring, fresh foliage develops into neat, compact clumps and the first flowers begin to appear.
Throughout summer, Erodium continues to produce its delicate flowers, providing a reliable source of colour at the front of borders and amongst rockery planting.
Many varieties continue flowering into early autumn, particularly when spent flowers are regularly removed.
During winter, growth naturally slows, with the amount of foliage retained depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Most Erodium varieties are relatively low-growing and compact, making them ideal where a smaller flowering perennial is required.
They generally form spreading mounds rather than producing significant height, although eventual size will depend on the individual variety.
Their compact nature makes them particularly useful for filling gaps at the front of borders or planting alongside taller perennials and ornamental grasses.
Always check the individual variety for its expected height and spread before planting.
Erodium is generally easy to care for once established.
Water regularly following planting until the roots have established, particularly during warm or dry weather. Once established, plants generally require less frequent watering.
Removing faded flowers can help keep plants looking tidy and encourage further flowering throughout the season.
Avoid allowing plants to sit in consistently wet soil, particularly during winter, as good drainage is important for healthy growth.
Erodium combines beautifully with other compact perennials, alpines and drought-tolerant plants.
Excellent planting partners include:
Combining Erodium with plants that enjoy similarly sunny, free-draining conditions can create an attractive, low-maintenance planting scheme with a long season of colour.
Many Erodium varieties are hardy perennials and can grow successfully in UK gardens.
They perform best when provided with good drainage, particularly during winter. In colder or wetter areas, planting in raised beds, rockeries or gravel gardens can help prevent excess moisture from sitting around the roots.
Hardiness can vary between individual varieties, so always check the specific plant before choosing its final position.
The flowers of Erodium can attract bees and other beneficial pollinating insects, making them a useful addition to wildlife-friendly planting schemes.
Their extended flowering season can also provide a valuable source of nectar over a long period.
Our range of Erodium plants for sale includes carefully selected varieties ideal for adding long-lasting colour to sunny borders, rockeries, gravel gardens and containers.
With their pretty flowers, compact habit and easy-going nature, Erodium plants are an excellent choice for adding dependable colour without taking up too much space.
Shop our range of Erodium plants online and add beautiful, long-lasting colour to your garden.
