if the bed is shady, go for macrorrhizum, Geranium cantabrigiense wants full sun.

the Geraium macrorrhizum is kind of a thug, it conquers the surrooundings sooner or later,

so, if you want a low-maintenace groundcover that is fine

fancy perennials will be overrun after few seasons.

only caveat:

they hate water logged soils in winter,

so if you garden on clay or the area is compacted, don`t get this one

G. mac is not a thug and is very easily controlled simply by pulling out rhizomes. But, yes, that for shade, Biokovo or Karmina for sun.

I have only grew straight mac when I was in Oklahoma, but I thought it was a slow spreader for me, attractive flowers when it does, and often nicely colored fall foliage. I like it.

I tried Bevans here once..but as one plant blogger says 'It slipped away and no longer grows here'. This is probably due to the clay soil and poor drainage that i have now in my swampland.

This is not a comparison to Biokovo, which I will be trying myself this year, but an observation about macrorhizzum, which I use liberally as a groundcover. I love its very neat edge. Like pachysandra, it eats leaves and forms patches so kempt that there’s no need to tidy its edge. I just mow along it. It is also the easiest plant to transplant, so no need to buy it if you have a friend with any. Finally, its magenta flowers bloom dependably with my PJM rhododendrons making a striking vignette every year.

Thank you all! I have a much better idea now about which plant is better for which spot. I really appreciate the input from you all.

Biokovo has a distinct scent when its leaves are brushed or bruised. I don’t much care for the scent, so mine is planted in an area where I don’t have frequent contact with it. I don’t think I would plant it again, though visually it is quite nice.

Which of the macrorrhizum's has the best flower display?

I like the white one best... I have various selections... this is 'album' and 'Bevans' in the background..

I also think it goes well with Cotinus 'Grace' as it flowers just as the new foliage emerges.... this is a small plant but I've done the same with a very large Cotinus..

I have no problem with cantabrigiense varieties in shade... these are 'Biokovo' and 'Vorjura'...

so beautiful.