About
Geranium maculatum, the spotted cranesbill, is an open, upright North American perennial to 70 cm growing from a compact rootstock. Leaves to 20 cm across have five or seven deep divisions, sometimes with faint colour blotches. Upward-facing, pale mauve to pale-pink flowers appear in late spring to early summer and sometimes again in autumn. A rewarding and ornamental native perennial for a woodland border.
About the genus
Geranium, the cranesbills, are annuals, biennials and herbaceous or evergreen perennials with rounded, usually palmately lobed or divided leaves and loose clusters of rounded, five-petalled flowers in white, pink, purple or blue. Among the most versatile and garden-worthy of all perennial genera.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitTrailing
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Native toE N America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
PruningRemove flowered stems and old leaves to encourage the production of fresh leaves and flowers
PropagationPropagate by seed, basal softwood cuttings in early to mid spring or division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to vine weevil, capsid bug and geranium sawfly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews