Richardson's geranium

Richardson's geranium (Geranium richardsonii) is in the Geranium family family (Geraniaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,170 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.

Nationally it blooms mainly from June to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Richardson's geranium: observations by month (U.S.)

About Richardson's geranium

Geranium richardsonii is a species of geranium known by the common name Richardson's geranium. It is native to western North America from Alaska to New Mexico, where it can be found in a number of habitats, especially mountains and forests. This is a perennial herb varying in maximum height from 20 to 80 centimeters. The plant grows from a tough, woody taproot and older plants develop rhizomes. The leaves are up to 15 centimeters wide and...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Richardson's geranium by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (Geranium family)

Redstem Stork's-billErodium cicutarium

Wild GeraniumGeranium maculatum

Mediterranean Stork's-billErodium botrys

Herb RobertGeranium robertianum

Musk Stork's-BillErodium moschatum

Cut-leaved crane's-billGeranium dissectum

Dove's-foot crane's-billGeranium molle

Carolina crane's-billGeranium carolinianum

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ