Image of Geranium robertianum
Source: OWSL
image of Flowering plant
Geranium robertianum
Robert’s Geranium
Géranium de Robert

Obsolete Names

Robert's geranium
herbe à l'esquinancie
herbe à Robert
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Pink Bloom period: Jun - Oct
Max Height: 1.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet
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
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Annual plants that have a lifespan of one year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
bee host Bee host
Tolerates:
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone 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 robertianum
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Pacific Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Geranium robertianum

  • Prochoerodes lineola (Large Maple Spanworm)

Specialized Bees Supported by Geranium robertianum

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

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

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: Surface sow
  • Sow by March
  • Stratification duration: 30 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: August
  • 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: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • 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: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Remove non seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.