Native Pollinator Plant Profiles
Native Pollinator Plant Profiles review native flowering plant species to Massachusetts that offer floral rewards to pollinators. Read on to learn more about these plants, many of which are native far beyond our state lines. This page will be updated frequently with new plants, so check back in regularly to stay up-to-date! All plant graphics made by Nicole Bell. Contact for use permission.
Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum): This plant is a wonderful addition to pollinator habitat. Offering both a nectar and pollen reward, it supports bees, other insects, and birds.
AT A GLANCE:
- Native range: Much of central and eastern U.S.
- Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Growth habit: Dense clumps 1-2 ft tall, 1-1.5 ft wide
- Bloom time: Spring (April-May), 6-7 weeks
- Grows best in: Shady garden borders, partial sun*
- Rewards offered: Nectar and pollen
- Specialist bees supported? Yes
Plants can be grown from seed or from plugs. It’s a long-lived plant that serves well as a perennial ground cover in gardens, due to its relatively low and dense growth habit. This is a low maintenance plant, but wild geranium can be shaped with a light shearing for aesthetic purposes after flowering.
Geranium maculatum is a great choice to support the specialist bee Andrena distans, which relies on geranium to survive and reproduce.
Bonus points: reported to be both drought resistant and bunny resistant once established. Bunnies may still munch on young plants, so using a small metal cage around the plant and at least 2 inches into the soil can help prevent damage.
*Wild geranium can thrive in full sun if there is adequate soil moisture. It is an adaptable plant and can manage a variety of soils and sunlight exposure levels.
