The confusion goes back to Linnaeus. Geranium … Since plants are a basic food source, from the beginning, humankind has hoped, noticed, and prayed that the plant world would … The whole plant would be boiled to make tea to treat diarrhea, sore throat, thrush and mouth ulcers. I am excited to see some of the natives I planted are doing well, but it takes some time to get going..Michelle. See our disclosure statement for more information. Geranium maculatum or wild geranium is part of the Geranium Family (Geraniaceae). Oh Cathy how special to have these uncommon native geraniums! Looking forward to seeing what you have been up to in your garden! Wild Geranium, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, May 13, 2009. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! I haven’t grown perennial Geraniums before – they weren’t as common in North Carolina, probably with the heat, other than the ‘weedy’ one that was always in the lawn (that one I did grow, ha!) Geraniums attract butterflies and moths and are an important food source for the larval stage of several species including Lacinipolia lorea, Heliothis virescens, and Hemerocampa leucostigma. If you do plant yours in the sun, be aware that they will go dormant during very hot, dry periods, but will often come back when conditions improve. Wikipedia: Geranium maculatum, the wild geranium, spotted geranium, or wood geranium… In addition to filling natural dry or moist woodland openings and edges, this perennial can be found in thickets, shaded roadside areas and dappled meadows. And be aware that the foliage may yellow in hot summers especially in dry soil so it is recommended it be lightly cut back. Here on the west coast we have a native geranium, blooms a little more pink than yours; climbs sweetly into taller neighboring shrubs. Love all the information Donna, and great photos as always! I believe it is called G. oreganum. Geraniums make wonderful ground covers for part shade to full sun and look lovely in containers as well. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Two of my hybrids have self-seeded everywhere. Deadheading is unnecessary since these plants usually do not repeat bloom. They are pretty spindly. The word Geranium comes from the Greek geranos meaning “crane”. I think I will try some in my violet patch – the violets take over but then, hey, what would the Violet Fern be without violets? It must be an incredible sight in spring Donna…I hope to go in search of more natives through hikes and walks….they look so beautiful in nature. They are a beautiful sight in spring and will love your garden in MA. Wild types produce pale pink to lavender saucer-shaped hermaphrodite flowers with five petals from April to June. The owner, Ellen Folts, specializes in woodland, prairie and wetland native perennials. A wild geranium is something I don’t have, but would love to have one day. If you have geraniums growing in your flower beds and window boxes you may be thinking “This doesn’t sound anything like my geraniums” and you may be right. The native geranium in Europe has tiny pink flowers and red stems, sounds lovely until you smell the foliage – it’s sickly and I hate it, yours on the other hand looks beautiful. Infusions may be made of any part of the plant for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, irritable bowel, cholera, kidney problems, internal bleeding and many other issues that call for the use of an astringent. How nice to get some pass-a-long hardy geraniums Indie. Wild geraniums can be propagated by root divisions and seeds. Therefore, deadheading is not necessary to encourage more blooming, but you may want to do it if you want to discourage spread. Leaves and roots should both be harvested just before the plant flowers and then dried for later use. 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