Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

Wild Geranium Geranium maculatum) 

Wild Geranium is one of the most useful shade plants you can grow. It emerges early and blooms over a long stretch in spring, sending up soft lavender to pink flowers on airy stems above dense, low clumps of foliage. The leaves are deeply lobed and good looking throughout the entire season. Wild geranium is especially useful due to how adaptable it is, handling both part sun and shade with ease, making it an easy choice for gardens where light conditions shift. It spreads slowly over time, helping fill in gaps and bring a sense of cohesion to borders without ever feeling aggressive or heavy.

In southeastern Wisconsin, Geranium maculatum thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil and settles in reliably with very little maintenance. It’s a plant that quietly ties everything together, especially in spring when the garden is still waking up.

Growing Conditions
Light: Part sun to full shade
Soil: Medium to rich, well-drained soil
Height: 1–1.5 feet
Spread: 1–1.5 feet
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: May through June

Wildlife Value

The Cranesbill miner (Andrena distans) is a specialized native bee that relies almost exclusively on Wild Geranium for pollen to feed its larvae. 

Blooms Alongside:
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

For more information, please check out our sizes, pricing and ordering page.