Wild Geranium

Common Names

Wild Geranium, Spotted Crane's Bill

Summary

Geranium maculatum, commonly called wild geranium or cranesbill, is a native woodland perennial of eastern North America. It grows about 12–24 inches tall, forms clumps of deeply lobed, palmately divided leaves, and bears pink to lilac five-petaled flowers in spring to early summer, followed by beaked seed capsules that give the crane’s-bill name. It spreads by rhizomes to form colonies and tolerates moist to well-drained soils, from clay loam to sandy loam, in sun to partial shade; it is not aggressive or invasive and is deer resistant. It readily naturalizes under optimum conditions and attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

It supports wildlife as a nectar and pollen source for native bees and butterflies and serves as a host plant for certain leaf-mining moths; it is suitable for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or ground-cover plantings and can be propagated by division or seed. It blooms for about six to eight weeks in spring to early summer, and once established tolerates a range of conditions, though foliage may yellow if soils dry. Maintenance is minimal and deadheading is usually not required; the plant can be used as ground cover or massed in woodland settings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

12-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, Partial Sun, and Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil that stays moist but not soggy.

Soil pH

5.0-7.5, somewhat acidic to neutral soil

Bloom Color

Pink to purple

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green, gray-green, or green; foliage may turn red or red and orange in fall

Fall Foliage Color

Red, Orange

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Not aggressive

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds