The spotted geranium, Geranium maculatum, is a clump forming, woodland perennial which is native to eastern North America.  It forms a mound of foliage that grows to 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide. It features 1 1/4 inch diameter, pink to lilac, saucer shaped, upward facing, 5 petaled flowers in spring for a period of 6 to 7 weeks.  The flowers give way to distinctive, beaked seed capsules which gives us the common name of crane's bill. Its genus name comes from the Greek word "geranos" meaning crane in reference to the fruit which purportedly resembles the head and beak of a crane. Nectar from its flowers attracts butterflies, bees and other pollinators. When the seed pod is ripe the seeds are expelled. Songbirds eat the seeds.

There is no serious insect or disease problem, though you want to be cautious of snails and slugs. Rust and leaf spot may occur. During the hottest part of the summer the foliage may decline and yellow. Shear it back to reshape the spotted geranium. This plant tolerates damage by deer and rabbits.

This plant was medicinally used by Native Americans to treat diarrhea and open sores or wounds.