Richardson’s Geranium (Geranium richardsonii) is a hardy, native perennial geranium found across western North America, from alpine meadows to open forests, riparian zones, and damp valleys. Recognizable for its large, deeply lobed foliage and elegant white flowers, often with delicate violet veining, this geranium brings both beauty and ecological function to moist habitat plantings, and makes a valuable addition to mountain meadows and forest edge restorations.
 
Richardson’s Geranium supports a range of pollinators, including native bees, syrphid flies, and small butterflies. The flowers bloom from late spring into summer, offering pollen and nectar when other plants may have already faded. In its native range, this species also plays a structural role—filling in mid-canopy layers in meadows and providing habitat and cover for beneficial insects. Its roots help stabilize soils along streambanks and disturbed slopes, making it a useful plant for erosion control in upland watersheds.
 
Richardson’s Geranium prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils with moderate organic content. It grows well in loamy or silty soils and is tolerant of summer drought once established. Seeds benefit from cold stratification and are best sown in fall. In garden settings, this geranium forms tidy clumps with lush foliage and is ideal for native perennial borders, woodland edges, and pollinator-friendly plantings.