Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

$5.00

The very attractive Wild Geranium flowers provide one of the earliest nectar sources for native bees. Its nectar and pollen attract many native bees, butterflies, and skippers (Illinoiswildflowers.info) and it is the host plant for the specialist mining Bee Andrena distans (Holm, 2017). In addition, it is a host plant to over 25 butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is listed as a preferred pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). This is surely a species to be included in your landscape. If you are lucky, this plant will spread to form small colonies.

Photo credit: Alvin Kho

The very attractive Wild Geranium flowers provide one of the earliest nectar sources for native bees. Its nectar and pollen attract many native bees, butterflies, and skippers (Illinoiswildflowers.info) and it is the host plant for the specialist mining Bee Andrena distans (Holm, 2017). In addition, it is a host plant to over 25 butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is listed as a preferred pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). This is surely a species to be included in your landscape. If you are lucky, this plant will spread to form small colonies.

Photo credit: Alvin Kho

Life Cycle: Perennial

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial shade, Shade (Mostly found in woodlands in the wild, but does well in full sun)

Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-dry

Height: 12 inches

Plant Spacing: 10-12 inches

Bloom Time: April - July

Bloom Color: Purple

Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant, Great landscaping plant

Host Plant: 26 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)

Specialist Bee: Mining Bee Andrena distans (Holm, 2017)

Beneficial Insect: Syrphid Flies

Complementary Plants: Woodland Phlox, Virginia Waterleaf, White Baneberry, Mayapple, False Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Seal, Bloodroot, Christmas Fern

Resources: Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Pollination Press, 2017

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