Not Your Grandmother’s Potted Plant

Subtlety is an often-overlooked skill. It relies on the holder’s ability to be notices without overtly seeking attention to garish traits or actions. 

In the wilds of the southeast’s spring season bloom there are species which add color to the environment without the clashing brilliance of high maintenance landscape shrubs. One of these muted bright spots are wild geraniums. 

Much like the camellias and azalea, some geraniums have been cultivated for centuries.  While the details are lost to history, this flowering ornamental was cultivated in Europe for its attractive blooms possibly as early as the 16^th Century. Botanical records indicate these likely originated in southern Africa.

While not in the same genus as the long cultivated ornamental geranium, this sometimes weed, (Geranium carolinianum) is in the same plant family. Although not producing as many or as large blooms as its ornamental cousin, the native plant is striking in its own right.

In late February to mid-March minute pinkish to purple flowers appear on the end of this herb’s stems.  First one, then bunches appear on each geranium.

The plant is highly adaptable and will grow in a variety of environments. If well established in an area its early start will crowd out other early season competitors. 

This early bloomer can tolerate some shade, but flourishes under the full sun.  Once established, it will rapidly colonize an area and pushing out competitors to the point of becoming a weedy pest.

These mass appearances add a notable color contrast to the landscape emerging from its winter pause. The greening background with the flecks of pink to purple blooms stands in stark contrast to the normally muted seasonal color.

As the season progresses and the temperatures rise, this native plant goes into seed production. The seed first appear as the blooms drop away.

They have a pointed upright shape, but are not stiff enough to be a painful issue with a chance encounter to a barefooted nature lover. Still, this is where the problems can begin for those who do not want this plant’s inclusion in the environment.

By mid-April many of the wild geraniums have seed rapidly drying and these annual plants are finishing their lifecycle. The seed change from green to black with tinges of red.

The seed are responsible for this plant’s common name: cranesbill. The avian comparison is subjective, but as the plant dries and the seed heads bend the likeness is a bit more obvious.

The dried seed eventually break off the dead or dying plant and are scattered, but not usually very far. They do not have wings or thistledown for flying away, or a means of adhering to passersby.

Unless a mature plant is relocated, the seed falls to earth and await the opportunity to germinate in the autumn. If the soil is disturbed and the seed buried, it may wait years (even decades) for the right opportunity to repopulate its plot in the landscape.

When autumn returns, native geraniums will begin the process of adding subtle tone to the monochromatic hue in the meadows and fields. Deer and other animals will use the greenery for sustenance during the time of privation, and enough will survive to continue the species.

It is nice to know some things stay the same in the ever-changing 21^st century.