This clump-forming herbaceous perennial is native to woodlands of eastern US from Maine to Georgia and west to the Dakotas and Oklahoma. It is a member of the Geraniaceae plant family that includes Pelargonium, the garden plant called geranium. Deeply cut basal leaves arise from a thick, branched rhizome and form a mound of foliage up to 24″ tall and 18″ wide. Each leaf is up to 6″ across and palmately lobed with 5 lobes. In spring, leafy stems produce pink to lilac flowers over 6-7 weeks. Each 5-petaled flower is 1-1.6″ across, saucer-shaped, and upward facing. The seed capsules that follow are beaked and are thought to resemble a crane’s bill. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators and the seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Other names for wild geranium are alum root, alum bloom, spotted cranesbill, wild cranesbill, spotted geranium, and wood geranium. The genus name, Geranium, comes from the Greek word γέρανος (géranos) meaning crane and refers to the appearance of the seed capsule. The specific epithet, maculatum, is the Latin word meaning spotted or stained and refers to markings that may appear on the plant.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Light pink to lavender, saucer-shaped flowers with attractive veining, from spring to early summer
Size: 18-24″ H x 12-18″ W
Light: Light shade to full sun (with sufficient moisture)
Soil: Average, medium moist, well-drained; tolerates poor soil
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Care: Shear back if foliage declines
Pests and Diseases: None of significance but susceptible to rust, leafspot, snails, and slugs
Propagation: Division, seed
Companion Plants: Astilbe, Solomons Seal, wild blue phlox,
Outstanding Selections:
‘Album’ (white flowers)
‘Elizabeth Ann’ (bronze foliage, lavender blue flowers)
‘Espresso’ (Reddish brown foliage, pale pink flowers)
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Karen