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Erodium 'Bishop's Form' (Stork's Bill)
A charming compact alpine with finely divided foliage and long-lasting pink flowers
Overview
Erodium × variabile 'Bishop's Form' is a delightful compact perennial that brings exceptional long-season interest to alpine gardens and rockeries. Also known as Stork's Bill, Heron's Bill, or William Bishop, this very cute little plant forms a low clump or tuft of tiny, filigreed green leaves topped with masses of starry pink flowers with darker veins. The pretty pink flowers contrast nicely with the dark green lobed foliage, creating a charming display from late spring through to autumn. This mat-forming alpine is a long-flowering addition to the alpine bed, providing months of colour whilst maintaining an exceptionally neat, compact habit perfect for small spaces and detailed plantings.
Key Features
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Flowering Period: Late spring to autumn (June to September)
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Mature Size: 10cm tall,
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Spread: 50cm spread
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Growth Rate: Moderate, forming neat clumps
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Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H5)
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Soil Requirements: Well-draining, preferably alkaline soils
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Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
Flowers
The plant displays masses of rose-pink flowers with attractive darker veining throughout the petals. Each starry little pink flower is small but appears in such profusion that they create a spectacular carpet effect above the foliage. The flowers have five petals with prominent darker veins running through them, giving each bloom distinctive character and visual interest from close inspection.
Foliage
The plant forms attractive tufts of tiny, filigreed green leaves that are deeply divided and fern-like in appearance. The dark green lobed foliage provides excellent textural contrast to the pink flowers and remains attractive throughout the growing season. The foliage remains evergreen in mild winters, providing year-round structure and interest.
Growth Habit
Forms a neat, compact, mat-forming habit that spreads slowly to create low cushions of foliage. The plant maintains its tidy appearance without becoming invasive, making it perfect for precise placement in alpine gardens and container displays. The low clumping growth creates excellent ground cover on a small scale.
Soil Requirements
Thrives in well-drained soil and is adaptable to various soil types, including sandy or rocky soils. It does best in well-drained alkaline soil, though it tolerates neutral conditions. Before planting, ensure the soil is loosened and amended with organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Excellent drainage is essential to prevent winter losses.
Light Requirements
Prefers full sun to partial shade exposure for optimal performance. In hot climates, some afternoon shade is beneficial, whilst in cooler regions full sun produces the best flowering display and maintains compact growth.
Watering Needs
Has moderate water needs once established. The plant prefers consistent moisture during the growing season but requires excellent drainage, particularly in winter. Avoid waterlogged conditions which can cause root rot and plant death.
Planting
Plant from spring through early autumn in well-prepared, free-draining soil. Space plants 15-20cm apart to allow for natural spreading. Excellent for rock gardens, moist borders, alpine troughs, and areas around water features where exposed pond liner needs covering.
Maintenance
Generally pest and disease free, making for a wonderfully low-maintenance plant. A light trim in spring helps maintain a neat appearance and encourages fresh growth. Deadheading spent flowers extends the flowering period and keeps the plant tidy.
Feeding
Minimal feeding required as this alpine thrives in poor to moderate soil conditions. Avoid excessive fertilisation which can make the plant soft and reduce its alpine character. A light application of balanced fertiliser in spring is sufficient.
Rock Gardens
Excellent for rock gardens where its compact habit and long flowering season provide reliable colour. The plant's preference for well-drained conditions makes it ideal for raised beds and stone gardens.
Alpine Troughs
Perfect for alpine troughs and container displays where its neat habit and extended flowering can be appreciated up close. The compact size makes it ideal for miniature alpine landscapes.
Water Garden Margins
Excellent for covering areas of exposed pond liner whilst providing attractive seasonal colour. The plant's tolerance of moist conditions makes it suitable for pond margins and bog gardens.
Border Edging
Perfect for front-of-border positions where its low habit and continuous flowering create attractive edging. The neat growth habit makes it ideal for formal and informal planting schemes.
Paving Gardens
Suitable for planting between paving stones and in crevices where it will soften hard landscaping whilst providing long-lasting colour.
Companion Planting
Creates beautiful combinations with other alpine plants such as Thymes, Sedums, and Armerias for textural contrast. Pairs wonderfully with silver-leaved plants and other mat-forming alpines for coordinated displays. Works well with small bulbs for extended seasonal interest.
Potential Issues
Generally both pest and disease free, requiring no specialist attention. The main consideration is ensuring excellent winter drainage to prevent root rot. The plant may be short-lived in unsuitable conditions but is easy to propagate from basal cuttings.
Seasonal Interest
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Spring: Fresh filigreed foliage emerges with developing flower buds
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Late Spring/Summer: Masses of rose-pink flowers with darker veins create spectacular display
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Summer: Continuous flowering with attractive textural foliage interest
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Autumn: Late flowers continue until first frost
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Winter: Evergreen foliage provides structure in mild areas
Hardy Zones and Regional Suitability
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RHS Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H5)
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Temperature Tolerance: USDA zones 7b-8a, hardy down to approximately -10°C
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Regional Notes: Suitable for most UK regions with good drainage, particularly valuable in milder areas
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Performance Notes: Survives best in mild winter regions but hardy with protection in colder climates
Erodium 'Bishop's Form' represents exceptional value for gardeners seeking long-flowering alpine plants with distinctive character. Its charming pink flowers, attractive filigreed foliage, and exceptionally long flowering season make it perfect for rock gardens, alpine troughs, and detailed plantings where its compact habit and extended colour can be fully appreciated. The plant's pest and disease-free nature and low-maintenance requirements ensure outstanding performance year after year, making it an invaluable addition to any alpine garden seeking reliable, long-lasting colour and textural interest.
Buying Alpines from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our alpines after flowering to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy alpines, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email
orders@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
From late autumn onwards and dependant on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Alpines are a group of perennials that generally grow in rocky conditions at high altitudes.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
By using this simple guide and a little time, alpines can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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