Wild geranium is a woodland perennial flower in the Geraniaceae family native to eastern North America that will naturalize in optimal growing conditions. This plant is found naturally in base-rich, mesic forests. The preference is for light shade to partial sunlight, moist to slightly dry conditions, and rich loamy soil with abundant organic matter. This plant also tolerates full sunlight if given sufficient moisture. It is easy to grow and is one of the showiest of the native Cranesbills. During the hottest part of summer, the foliage may decline and yellow. Shear back to reshape. It may grow 1 to 2 feet tall with fibrous roots and a shallow taproot. The attractive, deeply lobed leaves are topped by saucer-shaped pink to lilac flowers in mid to late spring. There are cultivars of this plant with white flowers and dark leaves. Use in mass as a ground cover, in woodland settings or native and pollinator gardens Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems but watch for snails and slugs. Rust and leaf spot may occur.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
A loose cluster of green basal leaves and a pair of opposite stem leaves near the base are 3-6 inches long and wide and are deeply cut with 5 lobes. The upper stem leaves have 3 lobes and are smaller. The margins have coarse teeth. The upper surface of the leaf has fine hairs while the lower surface has coarse hairs.
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Edible; Showy
Flower form
Corymb; Cyme; Umbel
Flower shape
Saucer; Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
2-5 flowers in umbrels or corymbs are 1 1/4 inches wide and are pink to lilac in color with fine veins radiating across the petals that function as nectar guides. They are upward-facing, saucer-shaped blooms from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Beaked seed capsules give rise to the common name of crane's bill. Fruit is available May-July.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Round green or reddish stems with hair
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE. Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: MB , NL , NS , ON , QC
Wildlife value
Nectar from flowers attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Geranium support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Ptilandrena) distans. Tolerates damage by deer and rabbits.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds; Specialized Bees