Wild geranium (spotted cranesbill)

About Wild geranium (spotted cranesbill)

Wild geranium is a native woodland perennial that forms leafy mounds 1-2 feet tall with rose-pink to lavender flowers in late spring. Bees, including a specialist mining bee, visit the flowers, and songbirds eat the seeds. Ripe seed capsules spring open and fling seeds 10 to 30 feet.

Wisconsin Extension lists zones 3-8 (NC State gives a wider range).

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Sow seed outdoors in fall, since it needs a cold period to sprout, or divide the rhizomes in early spring or fall. Garden plants often bloom the first year; wild plants may take two or three years (Wisconsin Extension).

Soil

Moist, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter; leaves may yellow or the plant may go dormant early if the soil dries out.

Plant in fertile soil with plenty of organic matter and keep it moist; wild geranium may go dormant early if the soil dries out.

Harvest

Grown for its spring flowers, which last about a month in late spring to early summer, longer in cool weather.

Pests to watch for

Aphids, Slugs, Deer

Diseases and problems

Rust, Leaf spot

In the kitchen

NC State notes the leaves can be brewed into a tea.

Safety: NC State notes no toxicity concerns; the sources used give no information on pregnancy or drug interactions.

Pets: Not listed by the ASPCA; its 'Geranium' entry covers garden geraniums (Pelargonium species), a different plant, which it lists as toxic to dogs, cats and horses.