Colorful Maryland Native Plants

Geranium maculatum

Geranium maculatum, ‘chatto’ wild geranium, is a herbaceous perennial cultivar of Geranium maculatum. It has dark green foliage and pale pink to lilac colored flowers. The flowers are saucer-shaped and bloom between April and May. Wild Geranium grows best in well-drained, moist soil in full sun to part shade. ‘Chatto’ can be a wonderful, natural groundcover in woodland gardens and will naturalize in optimum growing conditions. The flowers rarely repeat bloom and foliage may turn yellow in hot, dry weather, causing the plant to go dormant in the summer.

LGS Notes:

Geranium maculatum is a delicate looking native perennial that is a great addition to any woodland garden. Its’ seeds attract many wildlife animals like mourning doves, quail and white-tail deer. ~Alex

I like using Geranium maculatum in woodland shade gardens as a spring bloomer. The flowers support early bee and pollinator activity. This plant will tolerate some sun if the soil is kept moist when establishing. I like to use it shade in combination with wild ginger, ferns, creeping phlox, woodland phlox and columbine. ~Lauren

‘Chatto’ is a gorgeous early-bloomer, and has been a favorite in our nursery so far this year! -Jessica