Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
Rose-violet spring flowers over handsome lobed foliage that turns scarlet-orange in fall. Adaptable at the woodland edge, slowly forming colonies.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
Three seasons of value in one plant: spring rose-violet flowers, drought-tolerant summer foliage, and brilliant fall color. a genuinely underutilized native for woodland edges and borders.
Wild Geranium is the native garden workhorse that earns its keep in three seasons. The soft rose-violet flowers open in spring in loose clusters above deeply lobed, handsome foliage. When the flowers are finished, the foliage takes over: attractively textured, drought-tolerant, and in full sun, turning brilliant scarlet-orange in fall before dying back. No other spring woodland native delivers that kind of fall color bonus. It's adaptable, spreading slowly to form a colony over time, and tolerates both moist woodland conditions and average to dry garden soil once established. Bees and early butterflies use the spring flowers heavily. The deeply lobed foliage provides cover for ground-nesting insects and small wildlife. One of the most broadly useful natives for the woodland edge or partially shaded border.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown wild geranium propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 1–2 ft · 12–18 in wide
- Bloom time
- April–May
- USDA zones
- 3–8
- Family
- Geraniaceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America. moist to dry deciduous woods, clearings, and roadsides from Maine to Manitoba south to Georgia and Oklahoma
Care notes for wild geranium.
Plant in partial shade to full sun in moist to dry, well-drained soil. Wild Geranium is adaptable across a wider range of conditions than most woodland natives. Divide every three to four years in fall or early spring to expand the planting. Cut back to the ground after flowering to promote fresh foliage; the plant will produce new leaves quickly. Goes partially dormant in summer heat; this is normal. Water during establishment but drought tolerant thereafter.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside wild geranium.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.