How to Grow Geum Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Avens

Geum plants are hardy perennials that range from 15 to 90 cm (6 to 36 inches) in height.

They bloom in the summer, when they carry circular red, white, purple or yellow flowers.

Geum pentapetalum
Geum pentapetalum by kabacchi.

Some of the common latin name of Geum species include Geum triflorum, Geum chiloense, Geum borisii and Geum aleppicum.

Geum triflorum
Geum triflorum - Prairie Smoke by gmayfield10.

Commonly grown species in the garden include Mountain Avens; Wood Avens; White, Yellow, and Purple Avens; and Alpine Avens.

Commonly Grown Geum Species

Geum urbanum

Geum urbanum
Geum urbanum (Wood avens / Herb Bennet / Colewort / St. Benedict's Herb ), photograph by Andreas Rockstein; CC.

Geum reptans

Geum reptans
Geum reptans (Creeping Avens), picture by xulescu_g; CC.

Geum triflorum

Geum triflorum
Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke / Three-flowered Avens / Old Man's Whiskers), picture by Patrick Alexander; CC.

Geum Plants Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Avens, Geum, Prairie Smoke, Herb Bennet.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 6 to 36 inches (15 to 90 cm).
Family: Rosaceae.
Native: Worldwide.

Growing Region: Zones 2 to 9.
Flowers: Late spring and summer.
Flower Details: Red, yellow. Saucer-shaped. Egg-shaped.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Green. Fuzzy. Flabellate.

Sow Outside: Cover seed. Start of spring - before the last frost, or the beginning of autumn. Spacing 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: three weeks to one month. Temperature: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). Two months in advance. Six or seven weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors following before last frost or in early autumn.

Requirements and care: Full sunlight (hot areas: light shade). Good drainage.
Soil pH 5.5 to 7.0. Rich soil. Deadhead. Winter mulch in colder areas. Divided every three years in order to maintain vigour. Propagate: by dividing in the autumn.
Miscellaneous: Members of the Geum genus are attractive to many kinds of butterfly including the Grizzled Skipper.

How to Grow Avens and other Geum Plants in the Garden

If growing Avens and other Geum plant species from seed, then sow outdoors at either the start of spring or in autumn;. Lightly cover the Geum seeds once sown.

Avens likes to grow in sunny areas of the garden that has good drainage. They can tolerate partial shade in hot climates.

Ideally the soil that the plant grows in will be rich, and slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 7).

If first growing indoors, then sow Geum seeds about 10 weeks in advance.

It should take three to four weeks for Avens to germinate at 18 to 21 degrees centigrade (64 to 68°F).

Once ready, transplant plants into the garden at the start of spring or autumn. Ideally use a spacing of 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches).

Caring for Geum Plant

Geum plants, such as Purple and Mountain Avens, are easy to grow and look after. It is a good idea to remove dead flowers to prolong blooming and to help keep them tidy.

Supply a mulch in winter. When the plants begin to look tired (after about four years) divide them to maintain vigor.

If you require more plants then propagate by division in the autumn.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Geum plants. You may also enjoy the following Rosaceae (rose family) growing guides: How to Grow Rugosa Rose, Polyantha Roses, Waldsteinia, and Aruncus dioicus plants.