Image of Geranium maculatum
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Geranium maculatum
Wild Geranium
Géranium maculé

Obsolete Names

spotted crane's-bill
Seeds available at table Shade
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Purple Bloom period: May - Jul
Max Height: 1.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
row garden Suitable for Right of Way gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
bee host Bee host
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
septic tank safe This plant is septic tank safe

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Geranium maculatum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Boreal Plains
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Geranium maculatum

  • Prochoerodes lineola (Large Maple Spanworm)

Specialized Bees Supported by Geranium maculatum

  • Andrena distans
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Lamium (Dead nettle)
  • Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed)
  • Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
  • Iridaceae) (Crocus)
  • Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
  • Salvia (Non-Native Sage)
  • Myosotis sylvatica (Forget-me-not)
  • Phlox subulata (Moss Phlox)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: June
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds easily spring away from plant when you touch the pod
  • Harvesting mean: Put a bag around the pod to capture the seeds, then touch the pod
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non seed material
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.