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Avens Geum

Phonetic Spelling
JEE-um
Description

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:
Tags:
#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#English garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#perennial#full sun
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#low maintenance#cottage garden#mass planting#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#English garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#perennial#full sun
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Achenes are feathery-looking seedheads and can be showy with some species.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green wiry branched or unbranched stems may have hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    English Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Native Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Short-lived