Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum): Woodland Native with Pink Flowers

Wild Geranium: The Spotted Cranesbill of Eastern Forests

Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), also called spotted geranium or cranesbill, is a clump-forming perennial native to eastern North American woodlands. It has deeply lobed, attractive leaves and loose clusters of pink to lavender flowers in spring. The seed capsule resembles a crane's bill.

Botanical Profile

Grows 12–24 inches tall. The leaves often have a whitish blotch (hence maculatum). Flowers have 5 petals with fine veins. After flowering, the elongated seed capsule splits and curls, flinging seeds.

Garden and Ecological Uses

• Woodland garden: Naturalizes beautifully in shade.
• Pollinators: Bees, flies, butterflies visit flowers.
• Groundcover: Forms colonies over time.
• Medicinal: Astringent root used traditionally for diarrhea, sore throat.

Part to full shade, moist, humus-rich soil. Tolerates dry shade once established. Divide in spring or fall. Self-seeds modestly. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.