Hardy Geranium Sticky Wild Cranesbill

Sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum), also called sticky cranesbill, is a western North American native perennial with clumping stems and pinkish-lavender to deep purple-magenta flowers marked by darker veins. It flowers from late spring into summer, and the foliage can turn red in fall ([USDA NRCS Plant Guide](https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_gevi2.pdf); [South Dakota State Open PRAIRIE](https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nativeplant/247/); [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:322503-2)). ## Site and flowering Grow it in full sun to partial shade and provide well-drained ground. The USDA NRCS guide reports a mature height of 40–90 cm; the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program gives 24–30 inches high by 18–24 inches wide. The NRCS guide places the species in USDA hardiness Zone 2, and Utah's guide lists Zones 2–7 ([Utah Pollinator Habitat Program](https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Geranium-viscosissimum.pdf)). ## Wildlife and seed Native bees, butterflies and flies visit the flowers, while birds and small mammals use the seeds. The plant occurs in dry to moist habitats, but good drainage is important and supplemental irrigation is generally low after establishment. Seed germination may require scarification or soaking and can take up to three years ([USDA NRCS Plant Guide](https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_gevi2.pdf); [South Dakota State Open PRAIRIE](https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nativeplant/247/)). ## Maintenance Remove seed capsules before they ripen if you want to limit self-sowing. Older plants can become woody and may be divided to renew the clump; allow young plants time to establish.