Description

Key Characteristics:

• Growth Habit: Geum plants typically form a low-growing rosette of basal leaves. From this mound, wiry, upright stems rise, bearing the flowers well above the foliage. Most varieties have a clumping or rhizomatous growth habit.
• Foliage: The leaves are often deeply lobed or pinnately compound, with the largest lobe at the tip. They are generally a fresh green colour and can be evergreen or semi-evergreen in milder climates. The foliage often has a slightly hairy or fuzzy texture.
• Flowers: The flowers are the main attraction of the plant. They are typically cup-shaped or saucer-shaped with five petals, although many popular cultivars feature semi-double or double blooms. They come in a wide array of warm colors, including fiery reds, bright oranges, vivid yellows, and softer shades of peach and apricot. The flowers often have golden stamens, making them very attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Bloom Time: Geum is valued for its long flowering season, which can extend from late spring through to late summer, especially if spent flowers are regularly deadheaded to encourage new blooms.

Growing Conditions:

• Light: Geum plants perform best in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, they benefit from some afternoon shade to prevent the foliage from scorching.
• Soil: They prefer moist, fertile, and well-drained soil. They are not particular about soil pH and can tolerate a range from acidic to alkaline, but they do not like wet, waterlogged conditions, particularly in winter. Adding organic matter to the soil can help with moisture retention.
• Hardiness: Most cultivated varieties are hardy and can withstand cold temperatures, making them suitable for temperate climates.

Common Varieties:

• ‘Mrs. J. Bradshaw’: Known for its deep red, semi-double flowers.
• ‘Lady Stratheden’: Features cheerful, bright yellow blooms.
• ‘Totally Tangerine’: A long-flowering sterile variety with vivid apricot-orange blossoms.
• ‘Mai Tai’: Produces soft, peachy-colored flowers with a reddish edge.