Maryland Native Plants for spring: Geranium maculatum – Wild Geranium
Maryland Native Plants for Summer
Geranium maculatum – Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum, or wild geranium, is an herbaceous perennial native to deciduous woodlands of eastern North America. Plant it in rich soil with plenty of organic matter in full sun to part shade and provide plenty of moisture for the best growth. Plants flower more prolifically the more sun they receive. Wild geranium is the showiest of the native geraniums with larger flowers than the other species. This plant forms clumps of dense patches in natural woodland openings. While this plant spreads via rhizome, it is rarely found in disturbed areas. Plants have a loose cluster of basal leaves and flowering stems arising from thick horizontal rhizomes. They form a mound of dark green foliage 12-28 inches tall and spread 12-18 inches.
This plant blooms for about a month (sometimes longer in cooler weather) in late spring to early summer. Flower buds are set the previous year. The petals are generally rose-pink to lavender but may be darker purple or rarely white, with fine, slightly darker-colored lines running along their length that function as nectar guides. Bumblebees, many types of native solitary bees, and syrphid flies are most common pollinators, although ants and beetles also visit the flowers.
Common Name: wild geranium
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: Pale pink, deep pink, lilac
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
(Information from Missouri Botanical Garden)
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Wild geranium flowers and foliage
Wild geranium flower