← Back to Plant Finder

Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum

Native, erect perennial forb. Suited to be a good groundcover under the tree canopy, a spring bloomer of shady deciduous woodlands and woodland gardens. Best in shady areas of wild, native plant or open woodland gardens. Best in shady areas of wild, native plant or open woodland gardens. This species is excellent for garden borders, woodland restorations and massing. This species appears to be dependent on undisturbed stands of mesic, open forests. It is not usually found on disturbed sites and is not noted for rapid colonization. It appears to be sensitive to acidification of soils.

USDA symbol: GEMA

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 to 2 feet
Light ExposureSun, Part Sun
Soil MoistureDry, Medium
Bloom ColorPurple
Wild Geranium (Wild Geranium<div><em class="small">Geranium maculatum</em></div>)
Photo credit: Minnesota Native Landscapes (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience8
Salt ToleranceLow
Stress ToleranceGeneral Disturbance

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsMay to June
Larval Host ofBees, Moths
Specific Pollinators HostedAndrena distans, Orgyia leucostigma, Parectopa geraniella
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Erosion Control, Rain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityMedium
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Rice, Sherburne, Sibley, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands