Geum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- JEE-um
- Description
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There are over 50 species of plants in the Geum genus, commonly called Avens. They are rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plants in the rose family and are native to Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America. The genus name is from Latin and means scarlet. They generally grow 9-18 inches tall in a mounding habit. There are Geum species that are native to NC, especially in the mountains and Piedmont.
They all have attractive, divided dark green leaves and small, bright flowers with 5 or more petals. Avens grow best in cool climates, and while they tolerate dry soil, they prefer moist but well-drained soils. They can die if exposed to wet winter soils. They grow in full sun to partial shade but can struggle with the heat and humidity of southern summers. Yearly division is necessary to keep plantings vigorous. Deadhead flowers encourage more bloom but leave some spent blooms on as seed heads are attractive fluffy plumes.
Does well planted in mass, in borders, English gardens, cottage gardens or rock gardens, and the leafy green foliage makes a nice ground cover after bloom.
Insect, Diseases, and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot can be a problem in poorly drained soils, particularly in winter. May be short-lived in heavy clay soil or hot summer climates.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Geum
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern Hemisphere and South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer resistant. Larval host for some Lepidoptera butterflies. Flowers attract bees
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes are feathery-looking seedheads and can be showy with some species.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Usually flowers in late spring in shades of white, red, yellow, and orange on wiry stems in loose clusters. They can be single, double or semi-double flowers depending on the species. Deadheading can extend the bloom season throughout summer. Flowers can be nodding or erect. Some start out nodding and then become erect.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Rosettes of large hairy green leaves pinnately arranged and composed of a large terminal leaflet and a pair of smaller leaflets. Shapes and sizes are variable depending on the species.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green wiry branched or unbranched stems may have hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Short-lived
