Geum

( JEE - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Avens, this genus of perennial flowering plants includes species which require partial shade in warmer climates and regular water to perform well in the garden. The rose-like flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden and bloom in shades of orange, yellow and red from spring through late summertime. Foliage is evergreen in most climates. Avens are popular additions to cut flower gardens, and can also make wonderful additions to borders and mixed beds. They shine in containers, and are at home in cottage, rock, and informal gardens.

Geum Species and Varietals

The genus Geum is a member of the plant family Rosaceae and includes around 50 distinct species. Geum grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 2-24, though this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Geum aleppicum (Yellow Avens, Common Avens, Aleppo Avens)
This species is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. These herbaceous perennials reach up to 3 feet tall when in bloom and have pinnate green leaves. Yellow Avens is commonly seen growing in forests, meadows, river banks, and roadsides in disturbed soil. Flowers are light yellow.

Geum chiloense (Geum quellyon) (Scarlet Avens, Chilean Avens, Double Bloody Mary, Grecian Rose)
This native of Chile produces mounds of foliage 15 inches tall and 2 feet wide. 2-foot tall stems hold flowers in a variety of colors. The species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Popular varieties are outlined below.

'Alabama Slammer'
Semi-double deep orange flowers with red tips.

'Georgenberg'
With light yellow-orange blooms.

'Lady Stratheden'
Golden yellow double flowers.

'Mrs. J. Bradshaw'
Scarlet semidouble flowers.

'Starker's Magnificum'
To 1.5 feet tall and wide; double orange flowers.

'Totally Tangerine'
Warm orange blossoms.

Geum coccineum (Dwarf Orange Avens, Red Avens, Scarlet Avens)
Native to the Balkans and Asia Minor, this species gets 12-20 inches tall and wide and produces red flowers. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. Varieties are outlined below:

'Borisii'
1 foot tall and wide with bright orange flowers.

'Cooky'
Compact grower with bright orange blooms.

'Werner Arends'
Bright orange flowers on a compact plant.

'Red Wings'
Gets to 28 inches tall and has semi-double scarlet blooms.

Geum spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Geum, Hybrid Avens)
This group of plants includes those bred for their flower forms and colors. Commonly grown cultivars are listed below:

'Bell Bank'

'Blazing Sunset'

'Coppertone'

'Custard Tart'

'Double Bloody Mary'

'East of Eden'

'El Wano'

'Firefinch'

'Firestorm'

'Flames of Passion'

'Koi'

'Leonard's Variety'

'Mai Tai'

'Mango Lassi'

'Marmalade'

'Nonna'

'Poco'

'Pretticoats Peach'

'Prinses Juliana'

'Queen of Orange'

'Red Dragon'

'Rodger's Rebellion'

'Scarlet Tempest'

'Sunrise'

'Tempo Coral'

'Tempo Rose'

'Turbango Twister'

Geum radiatum (Spreading Avens, Appalachian Avens, Cliff Avens)
This species is native to Tennessee and North Carolina, and is considered endangered. Flowers are yellow. These plants spread by rhizome, and produce rosettes of leaves. Stems can reach between 8 and 20 inches long.

Geum urbanum (Wood Avens, Herb Bennet, Colewort, St. Benedict's Herb, City Avens)
These woodland-loving herbaceous plants have thin, wiry stems and produce small yellow flowers. They reach between 8 and 24 inches tall when mature. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-9. It is considered an invasive species in Ontario, Canada and regions throughout the Northeast United States (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont).

Caring for Geum

Geums can be grown from seed or purchased as starts from a reputable nursery. They prefer to be situated in a space in the garden that receives full sun to partial shade. The more sun they get, the more flowers they will produce; ideally, 6-8 hours is recommended for these flowers, with some late afternoon shade in the warmest climates. They prefer soil that is well-draining and moderately fertile, with a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention. Water new plants regularly as they establish themselves in the landscape. At maturity, they thrive in consistently moist but well-draining soil, needing about an inch of water per week. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering over a longer season. If growing taller cultivars of Geum for harvesting, flowers may need to be netted or staked to remain upright, especially in windy areas. These plants can be divided every three years to increase plant health, but it is not always necessary if they are being grown in the ground. For instructions on how to best divide Geum flowers, see the Propagation section below. Geum plants typically last for between 3 and 5 years in the garden before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Geum in Containers
Geum flowers are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Geum plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. Geums can be divided at repotting time.

Harvesting Geum
Geum, or Avens, make beautiful cut flowers; they have a look similar to a miniature rose, and come in a variety of colors. They are primarily available as cut flowers from mid-february through summertime. They combine well with many different types of flowers in fresh arrangements. Harvest Geum flowers after a few flowers in a cluster have opened, but before all are fully open. The best time to harvest is in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are at their coolest. Cut flower stems at their base using sharp, clean shears or snips, remove the lower leaves from the stem, and drop them in a bucket of cool water. The vase life of Geum fresh cut flowers is 7-10 days.

Propagation

Geum can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Geum, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Geum by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Geum by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Geum seeds have feathery attachments that allow them to travel through the air.

Geum seeds.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Geum plants are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases: