How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Geum Flowers

Despite their charming flowers and relative ease of care, these unassuming little perennials are largely unknown and underutilized by gardeners. Geums, also called avens, have so many things going for them.

Most notable are the mini rose-like flowers on the hybrid varieties; they bloom profusely in red, orange, pink, yellow, and many subtle shades in between. Their long, wiry stems make them ideal for cut flower arrangements, and their bright blooms are pollinator magnets. Many geum varieties have a long bloom period, often from late spring through mid-summer.

What Are Geums?

Geums are herbaceous flowering perennials known for their colorful and long-lasting blooms. There are approximately 50 different species of the Geum genus. Several are native to North America, including Geum rivale (water avens), G. canadense (white avens), G. macrophyllum (large-leaf avens), and G. triflorum (prairie smoke).

In recent years, horticulturists have taken an interest in cultivating hybrids of G. rivale, Geum chiloense (Chilean geum), and Geum coccineum (European geum), leading to the creation of many richly colored cultivars.

Characteristics

Geum forms clumping rosettes of bristly green foliage that may be evergreen in the warmer reaches of its range. Scalloped leaves are a medium-bright green in color and wrinkly in texture. Some species are deeply lobed. The foliage of some species looks very similar to that of strawberry plants. This makes sense, as geums are members of the Rosaceae family, which includes roses and strawberries.

While its foliage may be slightly underwhelming, geum produces charming flowers in beautiful shades of bold orange, rich red, and warm peach. Cup-shaped flowers emerge from upright stems in May or June and can last through the summer depending on the cultivar. Flowers can be single or double, with the ruffled, double cultivars resembling gorgeous miniature ranunculus blooms.

Geum is a petite plant; the foliage mounds may only stand 6-12 inches tall, with flowers and stems adding another 6-12 inches in height. They are well-behaved additions to the garden, expanding to 12-24 inches in width and spreading slowly via rhizomes.

Native Area

Native Geum species grow across the cooler regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. While they vary in precise growing requirements, generally they prefer moist, well-drained soil, moderate temperatures, and plenty of sunshine. They do not flourish in overly dry, arid growing environments.

How to Grow

This perennial is a little particular about its growing location. However, once planted, they need very little maintenance to stay happy and healthy.

Light

Geum flowers most prolifically in plenty of sunshine. In cooler regions, plant this perennial in full sun. However, it is sensitive to heat. Gardeners in warm climates may want to plant them in a location that receives some afternoon shade. If they are wilting despite consistently moist soil, it may be a sign they need more shade.

Water

Continual moisture is required to keep geum looking its very best, especially in hot or dry climates. In the weeks after planting, water thoroughly to help it get established. Geums will become slightly more tolerant of dry periods once settled, but they will still need some supplemental watering during the hottest weeks of summer.

With the exception of Geum rivale (water avens), which is native to the boggy meadows and wetland edges of northeastern North America, most of the hybrid cultivars do not grow well when perpetually wet.

Soil

Geum thrives in well-drained, fertile soils. This plant does not tolerate heavy soil. It may be short-lived in clay or soils that are persistently wet through the winter. Incorporating plenty of compost during planting will help soils retain moisture without becoming compacted and heavy. Geum triflorum (commonly referred to as “prairie smoke”), is native to the central prairies of North America and adapted to even leaner, more sharply-drained soils. Sandy loam is ideal.

Temperature and Humidity

Geums are hardy in USDA zones 5-7, although specific cultivars and species may tolerate warmer zones outside that range. This plant prefers cool to moderate climates. Take advantage of any microclimates in your garden that might offer geums protection from strong winds (which may damage delicate stems) or direct sun, particularly in hot climates.

Fertilizing

Geums are not heavy feeders. A healthy dose of compost prior to planting will provide most, if not all, of the nutrients that this plant needs. If your soil is particularly poor, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once during the growing season. Overfertilizing with a nitrogen-heavy amendment may lead to more foliage growth with fewer flowers.

Maintenance

Despite being a bit picky about soil and water, geums are surprisingly low maintenance. Deadhead non-sterile cultivars after flowering to help prolong their bloom period. Prune back flowering stems once the plant finishes blooming. Depending on the climate, the clumping foliage may persist throughout the winter. 

Planting

Their small stature and wiry, graceful stems make geums an easy candidate for a variety of planting settings. Position this plant at the front or middle of a border bed. For a classic cottage garden vibe, try planting with lady’s mantle, peonies, irises, and allium – the geum will continue to fill the bed with color even after the shorter-lived iris and allium blooms have faded.

Their low, clumping growth habit makes geums well-suited to both containers as well as alpine rock gardens, provided the soil isn’t too dry. Pair with moss phlox and Lewisia for a diminutive but beautiful display along the top of a rock wall.

Propagating

You can grow these pretty perennials from seed or division.

Seed

Geums re-seed freely and will easily hybridize unless sterile cultivars are planted. This can lead to many interesting color combinations! If you are seeking a particular plant, purchase seed from a trusted source.

Geum seeds can benefit from 4-6 weeks of cold stratification prior to planting. Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in the fall or started indoors in February for a late May plant-out time. Sow geum seeds on damp seed starting mix in cells or trays approximately eight weeks before your last frost date. Geum seeds require light to germinate, so cover them with a very light dusting of mix. Place trays under a grow light and keep them between 60 and 70°F (16-21°C).

Geum seeds typically germinate within 14 to 28 days. Transplant seedlings to deeper cells once they grow large enough. Once seedlings have at least 2 sets of true leaves, gradually harden them off for a week or two prior to transplanting outdoors.

Division

Divide mature geums every three years or so to help maintain their lush growth habit and prevent them from becoming woody. Geums that are in need of division will start to look bare in the center of the plant. Simply dig up the outer portion of the plant and move it to its new location. It is best to divide them in early spring or fall.

Popular Varieties

Plant breeders have cultivated many, many eye-catching varieties of this perennial. Sterile geum cultivars don’t re-seed, and therefore, tend to have longer bloom periods than non-sterile types.

‘Totally Tangerine’

This cultivar boasts cool apricot to orange semi-double flowers in late spring. ‘Totally Tangerine’ is one of the taller geum cultivars, typically standing 24-30 inches tall when blooming. As a sterile cultivar, it blooms for an impressively long time, from late spring through the end of summer. The vivid orange glows when paired with contrasting purples and blues; try pairing with salvia, lupines, and blue false indigo.

‘Mango Lassi’

A petite cultivar, ‘Mango Lassi’ typically stands just 12 inches wide and 16 inches tall. It has gorgeous honey-colored flowers with rose-edged petals, and, as a sterile cultivar, it will bloom for a long period of time. Plant en masse along a walkway or at the front of a border so its unique color can be wholly appreciated. Its small size makes it ideal for planters and containers.

‘Alabama Slammer’

The ‘Alabama Slammer’ variety is on the taller end of the geum range and stands 10-24 inches tall. Burgundy-brown stems are topped with golden semi-double flowers. It blooms from late spring to early summer.

‘Mrs. J. Bradshaw’

‘Mrs. J. Bradshaw’ has vivid scarlet-orange blooms that catch the eye of every human and hummingbird passing by. Standing 18-36 inches tall, this cultivar thrives in full sun to partial shade. Pair it with coreopsis for a fiery red and yellow butterfly garden.

‘Lady Stratheden’

The cheery double-yellow blooms that grace the top of this cultivar attract plenty of bees and other pollinators. ‘Lady Stratheden’ flowers from late spring through early summer and stands 12-24 inches tall. Its ruffled yellow petals and green and gold centers contrast beautifully with the dark green foliage below.

Geum rivale ‘Coppertone’

The soft, butterscotch-colored flowers of this cultivar start opening in April, making it one of the earliest geums to begin blooming. It stands 12-16 inches tall and pairs beautifully with the pastel pinks and peaches of Lewisia. ‘Coppertone’ tolerates slightly warmer temperatures and is hardy up through USDA zone 9, making it a great choice for warm-climate gardeners.

Prairie Smoke

This species (G. triflorum) is a North American native plant. It produces foliage rosettes similar to the abovementioned cultivars, but it bears clusters of nodding, rose-colored blooms instead of the open, cup-shaped type.

Fertilized flowers develop into attractive, wispy white seed heads that give this hardy plant its common name. The silky seedheads are eye-catching, especially when planted en masse. Adapted to thrive in open woodlands and meadows, prairie smoke flowers best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Plant with other prairie natives, like little bluestem and rudbeckia, or use in naturalized spaces.

Common Problems

Geums are resilient little plants with few predators. Deer, rabbits, and slugs are largely uninterested in this plant. 

Pests

Black vine weevils are the most commonly encountered geum pest. Adult black vine weevils take mostly minor bites out of leaves, however, the immature grubs will feed on the roots and main stem, causing major injury or death to the plant. Dig up and destroy plants that are infested with black vine weevil. Alternatively, consider applying beneficial nematodes, a pesticide-free way to control insect pests ahead of the growing season.

Diseases

Root rot can impact geums if grown in poorly drained or clay soil, particularly in the winter. Root rot originates from soil-borne fungi, and most fungi thrive in stagnant, wet conditions. Signs of potential root rot include yellowing leaves, shriveling stems, and mushy, blackened roots.

Avoid root rot by planting geums in well-drained soil. Heavy clay soil can be amended with plenty of compost, biochar, or agricultural grit, and if the situation is really dire, consider planting in raised beds, where you can control the quality of the soil going in.