Woodland Geranium

(Geranium sylvaticum)

Woodland Geranium (Geranium sylvaticum)

/

return to results
Previous Plant Next Plant

/

Geranium sylvaticum image
scroll forward scroll backward
scroll forward scroll backward
Estimated Native Range
Species Map Help

Summary

Geranium sylvaticum, commonly known as Woodland Geranium, is a deciduous perennial herb that thrives in the dappled sunlight of deciduous forests and the open spaces of grasslands across Europe, extending into Iran and Siberia. It reaches a height of 75 cm (30 in) and spreads up to 60 cm (24 in) wide. This plant forms a mound of deeply cut, toothed 7-lobed basal leaves that provide textural interest even when not in bloom. From late spring to early summer, it produces showy flowers on stalks adorned with ruffs of leaves. The flowers range in color from mauve to sky blue, influenced by the soil’s pH level. The fruits are glandular-hairy, and the plant has a distinctive feature of 10 stamens.

Woodland Geranium is appreciated for its hardiness and the charming, long-lasting flowers that add a splash of color to shady garden spots. It is a popular choice for underplanting beneath deciduous trees, pairing well with roses, lilies, and other summer bloomers. The plant is relatively low-maintenance, requiring medium amounts of water and thriving in a variety of soil types with different drainage rates. While it prefers partial shade, it can also tolerate full sun if kept sufficiently moist. Cultivars like ’Album’ and ’Mayflower’ have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating their exceptional performance in gardens. Gardeners should be aware that while generally disease-resistant, Woodland Geranium can suffer from rust and leaf spot, and in some conditions, it may self-seed and spread, though it is not typically invasive.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 2-3 feet
  • Width: 2-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Pink, Purple
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to deciduous forests and grasslands across Europe, Iran, and Siberia

Other Names

Common Names: Wood Cranesbill, Wood Crane’s-Bill, Woodland Crane’s-Bill, Skov-Storkenæb, Wald-Storchschnabel, Metsäkurjenpolvi, Géranium Des Bois, Skogstorkenebb, Bosooievaarsbek, Midsommarblomster

Scientific Names: , Geranium sylvaticum, Geranium striatum, Geranium krylovii, Geranium angulatum, Geranium uralense, Geranium alpestre, Geranium sylvaticum subsp. uralense, Geranium sylvaticum var. vestitum, Geranium sylvaticum var. parviflorum

GBIF Accepted Name: Geranium sylvaticum L.