Geranium maculatum aka Spotted Geranium

Geranium maculatum is a woodland perennial in the geranium family. Gardeners call it wild geranium or spotted cranesbill. Its native range spans southeastern Canada and central and eastern America. It grows in woods, thickets, meadows, and shaded roadside sites. Plants form loose clumps with a mound of leaves. Most garden plants reach 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres] tall. Their spread reaches about 1.5 feet [0.46 metres]. RHS gives a taller range, reaching 3.3 feet [1 metre].

The green leaves have deep cuts and coarse teeth. Large basal leaves have five lobes, like an open hand. Smaller leaves higher on the stems have three lobes. Fine hairs cover their tops; coarser hairs cover their undersides. The round stems are green or reddish and hairy. Plants lose their leaves during the dormant season. Fibrous roots and a shallow taproot anchor the clumps.

Pink to lilac flowers rise above the leaves in spring. Each bloom has five petals and faces upward. Fine veins guide visiting insects toward the nectar. Flowers span about 0.1 feet [0.03 metres] across. Bloom runs from April into June, depending on the site. The spring display can last six to seven weeks. RHS also reports some repeat bloom in autumn. Long-beaked seed capsules follow, with fruit present from May through July. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers, and songbirds eat seeds.

Light shade suits this plant, though it accepts full sun. Sunny sites need enough water to keep the soil moist. Rich soil with good drainage gives the best growth. It also tolerates poorer soil and some drought. Dry soil during summer heat can make leaves turn yellow. Sources rate its hardiness at USDA zones 3–8 and RHS H7. Use it beneath trees, along borders, or as ground cover. It fits native plant gardens, meadows, and pollinator plantings. Plants can spread by seed where conditions suit them.

Serious pest and disease problems are uncommon, but damage can occur. Slugs, snails, vine weevils, capsid bugs, and geranium sawflies may attack. Rust, leaf spot, and mildews may also affect plants. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. Native Americans used it for diarrhea and wounds. Its flowers yield brown dye; roots and leaves contain tannins. NC State reports tea use, while PFAF lists no edible uses. PFAF reports no known hazards, but this does not establish food safety.