Geum, often called "Avens," is a hardy perennial beloved for its ruffled blooms and fuzzy, evergreen-adjacent foliage. Because they are often sold as bare roots, getting the initial planting right is key to ensuring they establish a strong root system for a long-lived display.
Quick Facts
Hardiness Zones: 3–9 (varies by variety)
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Bloom Time: Late spring to mid-summer
Mature Height: 12–24 inches
1. Timing and Soil Prep
Geum roots should be planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, or in early autumn. They are "goldilocks" plants when it comes to moisture: they dislike bone-dry soil but will rot quickly in standing water.
Soil Quality: Aim for rich, loamy soil. Incorporate a generous amount of compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting.
Drainage: If your soil is heavy clay, plant them in a slightly raised mound or add grit to improve drainage.
2. Planting Steps
If you are working with bare roots, they may look like a clump of dried fibers. Don't be fooled—there is plenty of life inside.
Rehydrate: Soak the bare roots in a bucket of lukewarm water for 30 to 60 minutes before planting.
Dig: Create a hole twice as wide as the root clump and deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending them.
Positioning: Place the root in the hole so that the crown (where the roots meet the stem/leaves) is level with or just slightly below the soil surface (1–2\text{ cm}). Planting too deep can cause the crown to rot.
Backfill: Firm the soil gently around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
Water: Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil.
3. Care and Maintenance
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season. Once established, they are somewhat drought-tolerant but bloom best with regular water.
Deadheading: Geum is a prolific bloomer. Cut spent flower stalks back to the base to encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season.
Division: These plants tend to be short-lived (3–5 years) if left alone. To keep them vigorous, divide the clumps every 3 years in the spring.
4. Recommended Varieties
While many gardeners stick to traditional oranges, there is a wide range of colors and textures available:
Variety Color Notable Feature
'Totally Tangerine' Bright Orange Longest blooming period; sterile (no seeds).
'Mai Tai' Apricot/Peach Semi-double flowers with a ruffled look.
'Mrs. J. Bradshaw' Scarlet Red Classic heirloom variety with double blooms.
'Cosmopolitan' Cream/Pink Bicolored flowers that look like miniature roses.