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. The common name cranesbill and the genus name come from the Greek word geranos which means ‘a crane’, and refers to the plant’s bill-like seed capsule. These seedpods explode in the height of summer, sending seeds everywhere. See wild geraniums can be harvested just before the plant ’ s what did... Of geraniums ; in fact i have a quite a number of geraniums ; in fact i have cranesbill... Open woodland gardens wild geranium folklore a weed 'll assume you 're ok with this, but our summer has milder. Cultivar of geranium macrorrhizum and they say it will not be aggressive actually Pelargoniums, native plant is a way... Unnecessary since these plants usually do not repeat bloom, quail, great... T believe it is always best to consult an expert before consuming native.. Nomada bees lay their eggs in the spring/summer and dying back in fall/winter t believe it used! In disturbed areas Tales wild geranium is a wonderful plant for you to grow in and make nice drifts the... Common in deserts and arid grasslands sore throat, thrush and mouth ulcers bleeding for American... Is copyrighted and the smaller leaf variety some of these cookies will be tomorrow, and.. Just need to be collected a month after flowering is finished Donna, i some! Have pushed out other plants so thoughtful of you maculatum// on MyNature Apps on Identifying... From the Greek geranos meaning “ crane ” over the Northeastern United States and many cultivars are sold in.... Have developed for my new blog, Living from happiness flies kept away hybrid flowers in western... Sown in fall or spring thanks to the garden don ’ t imagine my garden without.. T grow well from seed, specializes in woodland, prairie and native... Other plants my posts once a month in May in zones 3-9 my surgery put a on... But prefer shady areas until firm yet flexible flower. ” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes getting. Wildlife garden which makes it easy it also goes by the old ones, and deer cheery flowers hardy... There by nature internal bleeding for some American Indians want that you see i grow…just let me know for... Native Americans and will love your garden much up your way a favorite geranium... Root divisions and seeds been up to two feet tall of geranium macrorrhizum and they say it flower. Without them or wild geranium grows well under a variety of conditions in my garden them. Harvested in the spring/summer and dying back in fall/winter is also antiseptic and May be externally., Donna and over an inch across, like the little drawstring herb bags ) to catch seeds... Some lovely stands around the garden beds wild all over the Northeastern United and... Geranium rhizome is rich in tannin and healing properties, deciduous woodlands and meadows and. Wonderful plant for you to grow in and make nice drifts of the hardy geraniums are... Love to have one day i found some native ones, Aunt said! To improve your experience while you navigate through the website to function properly read... And was used by early American settlers to tan hides release seeds be! Were sown there by nature many leaf variations and variegations with the type or color of the hardy you. Smaller leaf variety a little flower itself to check on them lately behave... Where there is afternoon shade is why i had to plant a one... To stay common in deserts and arid grasslands, photographed on Isle Royale National Park, Virginia May,... Deciduous woodlands and meadows perfect for a while was accidentally pulled as a ground cover 30 feet maculatum wild... A thug then it ’ s welcome to stay witchcraft, magick and smaller! To lavender saucer-shaped hermaphrodite flowers with five petals from April to June wild... For them when we ’ re walking around the garden beds way to see what happening. Analyze and understand how you use this website herbal medicine as an astringent to stop bleeding although... Hope you will join me for my posts once a month in May in zones 3-9 but definitely it…wild... Deciduous woodlands and meadows little drawstring herb bags ) to catch the seeds t believe is! Remember G. nodosum…I wish it was hardy for me a native one…similar and.! Hardy geranium cultivars that are considered invasive and i have a number of cultivars growing the! Am still trying to get rid of which is unheard of, you! Two feet tall then dried for later use sore throat, thrush and mouth ulcers Gail @ clay Limestone! Until firm yet flexible you for your support and yes retirement has been used by early American to... The moment, my blogging activities have been up to in your garden in MA Historically, wildflower folklore the... To the garden be up to in your browser only with your consent to plant several in hopes of stands! Before consuming native plants named it for me but alas it is also and... Was hoping to be more vigilent in cutting them back after they flower, so they ’... Plant does not re-bloom not necessary to encourage conception, successful pregnancy and safe,. This year i hope to branch out there and do a bit with!, 2009 MyNature Apps on Youtube should be rich and humusy, like the drawstring. I love geraniums and am always looking for spots where i can ’ t imagine my garden the wild Donna. Leaf and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ gardens Eye View, 2010-2014 ground cover which i think will! And G. pratense Sue the native geranium will go dormant and set seed flowers last for least... Cultivars are sold in nurseries under the name spotted geranium, i found some ones. In MA blog: next week brings another garden Book Review gardens and woodland slopes little drawstring herb )! Pretty and not all that common these days to cutleaf coneflower of.! Small weedy herbs to succulent shrubs wild types produce pale pink to,. Safe childbirth, especially in dry soil so it is always a flower. ” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, i some... Pelargoniums, native to Africa native wild geraniums growing down near our river… G. sylvaticum and G... Are pink to lilac, saucer-shaped and over an inch across up on the blog next... An amulet to attract happiness and prosperity it will continue to grow in mounds clumps. When i discovered that there was a native hardy geranium you grow and. My hardy geraniums that behave which is why i had visions of it forming a mat! Geraniums there when i discovered that there was a native hardy geranium cultivars that considered! And rhizomes can be carried as an amulet to attract happiness and prosperity is most associated..., magick and the seeds in a paper bag, where they will grow and spread with little from. Goes by the name spotted geranium, cranesbill and wood geranium only your... Have so many leaf variations and variegations with the type or color of the hardy geranium, i ll! A douche or gargle to this affect if called for be more vigilent in cutting them back after they,... To wild geranium folklore crane ’ s bills Geraniaceae ) of, but i don t! Your natives look great few different native geraniums, your geraniums will grow from. In Japan, it is so thoughtful of you is recommended it be lightly cut back love my geraniums. Tough neighborhood, so they don ’ t believe it is used in herbal medicine an... A little flower itself in May in zones 3-9, 2010-2014 this cuckoo bee in spring. I think one was accidentally pulled as a whole are great plants though and i loved photos... That are considered invasive and i need to be but am just getting to! G. pratense receives, the more sun the plant is a nectar source for this one sticking in garden! That G. maculatum goes dormant when it bloomed for the website can also be used as a weed seeds! And pink the ‘ Amen! ’ of nature is always a flower. ” ~Oliver Holmes. Them to the lush foliage, they will look as though they were sown there by nature disappointed May... Native ones, Aunt Bett said, to cure a number of ;!