Ontario Wildflowers website

Herb Robert
Geranium robertianum

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) Other common names: Red Robin, Robert's Geranium

Family: Geranium Family (Geraniaceae)

Flowers: Spring, Summer, Autumn;  White, Blue/Violet;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Lobed

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 288   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photographs: 88 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert flower.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Side view of a Herb Robert flower, with seed capsules forming on the left.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert flowers are usually blue, but are also sometimes white.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Typical growth habit of Herb Robert.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

A dense clump of Herb Robert in bloom, in May.
Herb Robert is a vigorous colonizer in forests and can spread rapidly, leading some gardeners to dislike this plant. However, it is a fragile plant, and so easily removed where not wanted.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

The leaves have a somewhat spicy fragrance when rubbed.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert is sometimes mistaken for a fern.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert often grows a little bit up above the ground surface on a short stalk, ashown here.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

Herb Robert seed capsules.


Range map for Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)