Wild Geranium

Wild geranium is a native woodland wildflower that can be used as a ground cover in partially shaded sites. Wild geranium forms low mounds of deeply cut, dark green leaves and showy clusters of pink to purple flowers in early spring. The flowers give way to beaked seed capsules shaped like crane’s bills (other common names are wild cranesbill and spotted cranesbill, which also refers to the mottling of the leaves). The distinctive capsules and palmately lobed leaves are distinguishing characteristics of plants in this genus. Like other spring ephemerals, wild geranium races to flower and reproduce before the emerging tree canopy blocks the sun. Once the canopy has filled in, the plant flourishes in part or full shade.

Soil type: Alkaline soil

Soil moisture:  Moist, well-drained soil

Sun exposure: Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)

Height: Medium plant (12-24 inches)

Bloom Color: Pink

Bloom Time: Late spring, early summer

Benefits: Host plant for larvae of 25 species of moths, including American bordered sallow, white-marked tussock (pictured here), and two specialists. Honey bees, bumble bees, many types of native solitary bees, and syrphid flies are most common pollinators. Butterflies, skippers, moths, ants, and beetles also visit the flowers. Chipmunks and song birds eat the seeds. Sustains little damage from deer and rabbits.

(Sources: mortonarb.com / leavesforwildlife.com /vplant.org / inaturalist.org, gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org)