Geums: Sweethearts of the spring garden

photo of 'Cosmopolitan' by intrinsicperennialgardens.com

I find it so exciting to discover a new perennial garden gem that performs well in my SE Wisconsin garden and then feel the need to make sure everyone else knows it and falls in love with it, too. The last few years, my fondness of Geums has grown into pure infatuation as I indulge in adding more to the garden every year. So here is my attempt to charm you with them as well. 
 
Geum, also known as Avens, is a member of the rose family so it is not surprising that it has a 5-petaled inflorescence like roses and apple blossoms. What is surprising, no matter how many times I see them in bloom, is how much they resemble miniature roses with their double layers of petals. They add a touch of elegance to the garden with their tidy and attractive, deep-green foliage and their lovely flowers that dangle above on wiry stems. 

Photo of 'Top Shelf' by intrinsicperennialgardens.com

Species & Hybrid Cultivars

There are over 50 species of Geum. One of the most well-loved one here in Wisconsin is Geum triflorum (Prairie smoke) which is native to the midwest. Although other species originated in Greece and Turkey, the midwest has another claim to the many hybrid cultivars. Since 2006, Brent Horvath at Intrinsic Perennial Gardens in Hebron, IL has been breeding a new series of Geum called the Cocktail series. ‘Cosmopolitan’, ‘Mai Tai’, ‘Tequila Sunrise’, ‘Banana Daiquiri’, just to name a few, vary in colors ranging from yellows, bright orange, and sweet pinks, rose, cream, and peach. Even the creamy white-colored ‘Champagne’ is charming and is more robust than the others in the series. 

How to Care for Geum

Geum make good cut flowers to admire indoors in a vase. They grow 12-18” tall when in bloom and are deer and rabbit resistant. In clay soil, they can be short-lived, so place them in a spot that is well-drained and receives morning sun accompanied by shade in the afternoon. Dividing them every few years can also help prolong their life span. The lovely blooms begin to open as early as late April and can last into June. 

Remove spent flowers to extend the bloom period. In spring, fertilize established Geum lightly once annually with a granular fertilizer (try an organic one by Fox Farm or Espoma). By the way, this is how and when most perennials should be fertilized. When you clean out your beds in spring, apply the fertilizer to slowly feed through the season, then top with mulch. Faded blooms can be deadheaded to prolong bloom time, but leave a few on so you don’t miss their cool wispy seed heads. Don’t be too hasty to deadhead Prairie Smoke, or you will miss why it is so named.  
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Designing with Geum

Geum are ideal for rock gardens as long as the soil isn’t too dry. Plant them in drifts of 3, 5, or 7 along the front of the border in a staggered manner to create a naturalized look. Remember there are no straight lines in nature!  Plant other spring-bloomers nearby like Polygonatum ’Prince Charming’ and mix in summer bloomers to compliment the Geum foliage. One of my favorite combinations is Geum x ‘Champagne’ planted with Hosta ‘First Frost’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’ (see above). The effect of the greens, purples and creams is stunning elegance. 

Have you been convinced or at least intrigued? Seek them out - it is worth the effort. 

 - Tracy  ​