Geum

Geum chiloense - Grecian Rose
Geum aleppicum - Yellow Avens
Geum triflorum - Purple Avens, torch flower, prairie smoke, lion's beard, old man's whiskers

Overview

There are about fifty species in the genus Geum, and they are all herbaceous perennials. They places of origin are widely scattered - in Europe, the Americas, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa. Some species are endangered or threatened in their natural habitats. Winter hardiness varies by species.

Geum flowers are held above the evergreen foliage on wiry stems, giving them a light, airy feeling. "The flowers remind me of ballerinas," says one enthusiastic gardener.

Geum triflorum, a native North American prairie plant, is remarkable for its fruiting heads. After the flower fades and as the seeds form, the styles elongate to form feathery gray tails.

Native Americans once boiled the roots of Geum triflorum to produce a tea that was used medicinally for wound applications and sore throat treatments.

Growing Conditions

Geum species vary in their light requirement; some like full sun and others prefer light shade. Some like dry conditions, but most require even moisture. They are subject to root rot in wet winter conditions. Geum also vary in their soil requirement, but most are adaptable. They prefer neutral to mildly acidic soil.

Cultivation

The bloom period can be prolonged somewhat by deadheading. Few pests or diseases trouble Geum. Root rot, particularly in winter, can be a problem in wet soils. Geums spread readily by rhizomes; some species can be naturalized as a ground cover.

Uses

Most Geum are grown as a front of the border plant, where their low foliage and bright flowers on wiry stems make a cheerful edging to flower beds. Geum triflorum is sometimes naturalized as a ground cover.

Geum Varieties to Grow

Geum triflorum 'Prairie Smoke' - rose-colored seed head
Geum chiloense 'Mrs. Bradshaw' - scarlet flower
Geum chiloense 'Dolly North' - orange, flower
Geum chiloense 'Lady Stratheden' - yellow flower
Geum rivale 'Album' - white to pale pink flower
Geum heldreichii 'Georgenberg' - orange-gold flower
Geum avens 'Double Bloody Mary' - double red flower

from the Victorian Gardener

Geum - Dwarf handsome perennial herbs, G. montanum being one of the best of the dwarf kinds for the rock garden, and very beautiful when well established in early spring. It has a compact habit, the leaves lying close on the ground, the erect stems of solitary clear yellow flowers being abundant. It likes plenty of moisture. G. reptans is also a pretty rock plant, differing from G. montanum in its finely-cut leaves, large flowers, and in producing stolons, which are absent in G. montanum. There is a variety, however, of the latter which is by far the most ornamental plant of the European kinds. It is of a very vigorous habit, with large, fine leaves, and bears freely deep yellow flowers on each stem. This form has been cultivated in the Liverpool Botanic Garden for over twenty years, and is said to be of garden origin.

Geum Pictures

Leaved Avens-Geum macrophyllum	Leaved Avens-Geum macrophyllum	Old Man's Beard-Geum triflorum
Old Man's Beard-Geum triflorum	Old Man's Beard-Geum triflorum	Geum triflorum

Related Flowers

Geum Chiloense

Geum Chiloense - G. chiloense grandiflorum is one of the best single-flowered forms in the group. A native of Chiloe, introduced to cultivation somewhere about 1826, it is a magnificent border plant, its dazzling scarlet flowers and bold habit making it a favourite with all who love brilliant patches in their mixed borders. The double-flowered form of this seems to be a more general favourite, the blooms lasting longer, though I think they lack the elegance of those of the simpler form. The variety Mrs J. Bradshaw is an improvement on the old double. They begin to expand soon after May, and continue until October.

Geum Chiloense Var. Miniatum

Geum Chiloense Var. Miniatum - This plant, figured in The Garden in 1890, is said to have originated in the nursery of Robert Parker at Tooting, and was named by him G. miniatum. Another plant known as the Altrincham variety, or G. hybridum, was raised about the same time, but, unless in the flowers being brighter, I see no difference. But there can be no question as to the value of this plant, its robust constitution standing it in good stead in almost every kind of soil. It flowers from April until the end of July, and when doing well often attains a height of from 2 to 3 feet.

Geum Coccineum

Geum Coccineum - a rare and entirely different plant. A native of Mount Olympus.

Geum Heldreichi Magnificum

Geum Heldreichi Magnificum - Splendid in color as any orange flower, I like this for Heldreichs sake as well as its own, as I once spent a few pleasant days with him near Athens in the time of Windflowers that clothe the fields there.

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Pictures of Seasonal Spring Flowers

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