Wild Geranium
Wild Geranium, a native herb found in eastern North America, is a welcome sight to many but a nuisance to those finding it growing in their yards and lawns. It has a mat-like growth pattern which easily smothers turf grass.
Wild Geranium (Geranium Carolinianum)
Winter Annual
Wild Geranium, also called Carolina geranium, has flowers that form in clusters, each of which has five white to pink petals. The seed forms in a fruit capsule creating a “storks bill.” Its erect stems branch forward and are covered with hair. Its leaves alternate on long petioles and are divided into segmented leaflets which are blunt toothed.
Identifying Wild Geranium
Wild Geranium, a native herb found in eastern North America, is a welcome sight to many but a nuisance to those finding it growing in their well kept yards and lawns. It has a mat-like growth pattern which can easily smother turf grass. Another common identifier to note is the hard coated seedpods which are difficult to penetrate with pre-emergent weed control. You can look for Wild Geranium in areas of your yard that get full sun to partial shade, predominantly in growth areas such as clay, sand or shallow rocky soils.
You can identify Wild Geranium using the following visual cues:
- Carolina Geranium is a broad-leafed weed with 5 to 9 lobed leaves.
- It starts as a low cluster of leaves and then grows upright with branching stems
- Stems can grow upwards of 12 inches tall
- The leaves of the Carolina Geranium have fine hair on both sides.
- Leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern, meaning they take turns along the stem.
- The roots are shallow, with many small roots along with a single, short main “taproot”.
- Flowers are small and are usually pink or purple in color and grow in clusters.
- Seeds form in fruit capsules and resemble a “storks bill.”
Why You Should Remove Wild Geranium from your Yard
Mentioned above, Wild Geranium has benefits as a native plant and is a strong pollinator. But, when it comes as an unwelcome visitor to lawns and yards, it has the ability to outcompete wanted plants and grasses. Wild Geranium has mat-like growth when young and takes away necessary sunlight from grass as well as nutrients. Left untreated, Wild Geranium will flourish and take over lawns and garden beds.
When and How to Remove Wild Geranium
Selective post-emergent weed control are the preferred choice when treating Carolina Geranium on commercial and residential lawns and garden beds. When applied properly, the treated weeds will yellow and dry. It is also important, along with regular treatment, to mow Wild Geranium before it goes to seed. Although this method won’t get rid of the weed, it is a strong way to stunt its growth. The last method of treatment for Wild Geranium is hand pulling. Make sure you grab the weed at its lowest point possible and extract the entire taproot to avoid new growth.
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