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Geranium richardsonii

Richardson's geranium

Geraniaceae Western North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Geranium richardsonii is a herbaceous perennial in the geranium family, growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall in a loose, branching clump. The leaves are deeply divided into five to seven toothed lobes, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) wide, on long stalks rising from the base and along the stems. From late spring into summer it carries open, five-petaled flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, white to pale pink with thin pink to purple veins that guide insects to the center. After flowering the seed capsule lengthens into the beak-like structure typical of geraniums, which splits and flings seed when ripe. It grows in moist mountain meadows, streamsides, aspen groves, and open coniferous woods across western North America, from Canada south into Mexico. The plant favors cool, damp ground and partial shade and fades quickly in hot, dry exposed sites. It spreads slowly by seed and rhizomes and supports bees and other insects during its summer bloom. Its need for steady moisture limits its use to woodland gardens and damp borders rather than dry plantings.

Native Range

Native to western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta south through the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin into Mexico. It grows in moist montane meadows, streambanks, aspen groves, and open coniferous forest.

Suggested Uses

Used in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and streamside and meadow plantings where soil stays moist. It suits naturalistic and native plant gardens and combines with ferns, sedges, and other moisture-loving perennials.

How to Identify

Identified by deeply five- to seven-lobed, toothed leaves on long stalks and open white-to-pale-pink flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across marked with thin pink to purple veins. The long beak-like seed capsule that follows is typical of true geraniums. The pale veined flowers and moist-woodland setting separate it from the pink-purple flowers of sticky geranium, which grows in drier sites.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers from late spring through summer, mainly June to August depending on elevation. The white to pale pink flowers open over a long period in cool mountain conditions. Bloom comes later at higher elevations and in shaded sites.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Geranium richardsonii grows in partial shade to full sun in moist, humus-rich soil and tolerates clay as long as it stays damp. It needs steady moisture and declines in hot, dry, exposed sites, making it suited to cool gardens and woodland edges. It tolerates a soil pH from about 5.5 to 7.0 and grows well under a mulch that keeps the roots cool. Plants spread slowly by rhizomes and self-sown seed, forming loose colonies over time. Cutting back after flowering can tidy the foliage and sometimes brings a second flush. It dies back in winter and returns from the crown in spring.

Pruning

Cutting spent flower stems and tired foliage back after the main bloom tidies the clump and can bring a lighter second flush. Removing seed capsules before they ripen limits self-sowing. The plant dies back on its own in fall and needs no further cutting.