Siberian Geranium: A Hardy Ground Cover with Global Appeal
Meet Geranium sibiricum, better known as Siberian geranium – a tough little annual that’s made quite a journey from its Asian homeland to gardens across North America. This unassuming member of the geranium family might not be the showiest plant in your garden, but it certainly knows how to make itself at home.
What Is Siberian Geranium?
Siberian geranium is an annual forb – essentially a non-woody plant that completes its entire life cycle in one growing season. Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you; this little powerhouse is incredibly adaptable and resilient. As its name suggests, it originally hails from the harsh climates of Siberia and other parts of Asia, including Mongolia, China, and Central Asia.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
While not native to North America, Siberian geranium has established itself across several states, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. It’s what botanists call a naturalized species – meaning it reproduces on its own in the wild without human intervention.
Should You Plant Siberian Geranium?
Here’s where things get interesting. Siberian geranium sits in that gray area of gardening – it’s not native, but it’s also not considered invasive or harmful. Whether you choose to grow it really depends on your gardening philosophy and goals.
The Case For Growing It:
- Extremely hardy and adaptable (thrives in USDA zones 3-8)
- Requires minimal care once established
- Drought tolerant
- Attracts small pollinators like bees and flies
- Self-seeds readily, ensuring continuous coverage
- Works well as ground cover in challenging spots
Things to Consider:
- It’s not native to North America
- May self-seed more aggressively than desired
- Won’t provide the same ecological benefits as native alternatives
What Does It Look Like?
Siberian geranium won’t win any beauty contests, but it has a quiet charm. The plant produces small pink to purple flowers that are quite dainty, typically measuring about half an inch across. The leaves are deeply divided and palmate (think of a hand with fingers spread out), giving the plant a delicate, lacy appearance. It grows low to the ground with a spreading habit, making it useful as a ground cover.
Perfect Spots for Siberian Geranium
This adaptable little plant fits well into several garden styles:
- Rock gardens where its low-growing habit shines
- Cottage gardens for a naturalized look
- Areas where you want low-maintenance ground cover
- Naturalized landscapes or meadow gardens
- Difficult spots where other plants struggle
How to Grow Siberian Geranium Successfully
One of the best things about Siberian geranium is how easy it is to grow. This plant seems to thrive on neglect!
Growing Conditions:
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (quite flexible)
- Soil: Adaptable to various soil types, including poor soils
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates occasional watering
- Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 3-8
Planting and Care Tips:
- Sow seeds directly in spring after the last frost
- Barely cover seeds with soil – they need light to germinate
- Water gently until established
- Once growing, it requires very little maintenance
- Deadhead flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding
- Allow some flowers to go to seed if you want it to return next year
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While Siberian geranium does attract small pollinators like bees and flies, it’s worth noting that native plants typically provide more comprehensive benefits to local wildlife. The flowers do offer nectar, but the plant doesn’t serve as a host for native butterfly or moth caterpillars the way native geraniums do.
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re leaning toward supporting native ecosystems, consider these native geranium alternatives:
- Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
- Spotted geranium (Geranium maculatum)
- Carolina geranium (Geranium carolinianum)
These native species offer similar aesthetic appeal while providing superior benefits to local wildlife and ecosystems.
The Bottom Line
Siberian geranium is a hardy, low-maintenance annual that can fill challenging spots in your garden. While it’s not native and won’t provide the same ecological benefits as indigenous alternatives, it’s also not problematic or invasive. If you’re looking for an easy-care ground cover and don’t mind a non-native plant, it could work well for you. However, if your goal is to support local ecosystems and wildlife, you’ll get more bang for your buck with native geranium species.
Whatever you choose, remember that every garden is a personal expression – and sometimes that tough little Siberian immigrant might be exactly what your space needs.
