Geum

(Avens) Geums are colourful, cheerful and easy-to-grow. The flowers remind me of the strawberry plant; pretty and simply shaped, some produce dangling cup-shaped bells while others raise their heads revealing perfect rosettes.

Left to right: Geum 'Cosmopolitan', Geum 'Georgenberg', Geum 'Lissane', Geum 'Borisii'

Geum Flowers & Plant

The larger, rosette-shaped flowers are generally carried on long stems and come from the Geum chiloense side of the family and bloom from May onwards. Geums that are shorter and have bell-shaped flowers are often raised from Geum rivale, a native damp soil dweller. These bloom from April to early June. There are many other species of geums, mix them up and you get a wonderful range of plants, including those that were introduced as teh 'Cocktail Series' - Geum 'Cosmopolitan', Geum 'Mai Tai' and Geum 'Tequilla Sunrise'.

Left to right: short Geum - Geum rivale 'Album', Geum 'Lemon Drops', Geum 'Bell Bank', Geum rivale 'Leonard's Variety'

Left to right: tall Geum - Geum 'Prinses Juliana', Geum 'Mrs J. Bradshaw', Geum 'Totally Tangerine', Geum 'Lady Stratheden'

Where To Grow Geums

Geums raised from G. rivale are native to the UK, and can be found growing moist or boggy soils. This is also the case for all other Geum, but the types such as G. ‘Mrs Bradshaw’ will cope with dryer, well-drained soils. They are happy in sun or partial shade. Whether the flowers are red, yellow, orange or a blend of all Geums require a soil that does not become baked hard during summer, and they don’t mind a certain amount of shade.

How To Care For Geums

If your geums dry out during hot summers they are easily revived with a good watering. I try to cut the flower stems back once the flowers have faded to encourage more blooms and prevent new seedlings from germinating – unless this is what you want of course (just be aware geums are promiscuous and hybridise easily). Geums do not need fertilising or staking. It is best to divide short, carpet forming Geums every 3 or so years to keep them vigorous.