Geum (Avens)

Geum: a low-maintenance and versatile choice for your garden
The Geum genus, commonly called Avens, is a group of rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial plants belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). Found across temperate regions worldwide, Geum species are widely distributed across Europe, Asia, North and South America, Africa, and New Zealand. With over 50 recognised species, it’s no surprise that gardeners incorporate Avens into a wide variety of garden styles and climates.

This easy-care perennial offers a long season of colour with very little effort, flowering from late spring into early summer, and often providing a second flush in autumn. Most Geum varieties are hardy in the UK and tolerate a broad range of temperatures, making them adaptable to many conditions.

Signature features: why gardeners love Geum
Geum is a firm favourite among gardeners thanks to its ability to bring colour, texture and movement to the garden without demanding constant care. This versatile perennial typically forms rosettes of semi-evergreen or deciduous foliage. The divided dark green leaves are often pinnately lobed, lending them a distinctive, textured appearance. Leaf colour can range from bright green to more subdued shades, and the surface is sometimes softly hairy.

Depending on the variety, most Geum varieties reach about 50cm in height, making them suitable for the front or middle of a border.

The striking floral display of Geums
While Geums offer attractive foliage, their most striking feature is undoubtedly their flowers—often prized for cutting. These vivid blooms are typically borne on wiry, upright stems that rise well above the foliage. Depending on the variety, flowers may be single, semi-double, or fully double. Geum flowers come in a wide variety of colours, including fiery reds, oranges, and pastel shades of peaches and yellows.

Geum flowers are particularly appealing to pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, with certain species featuring ‘nectar guides’ that are visible only under ultraviolet light.

From cottage gardens to modern borders: is Geum right for you?
Avens is a great choice for gardeners seeking reliable early-season colour, neat growth, and blooms that complement almost any garden style. Geum flowers are commonly used in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and rockeries—ideal wherever compact, free-flowering plants are needed.

Geum may be the perfect fit for your garden if you’re looking for:

• A cheerful flower that doesn’t demand constant attention.
• Bold seasonal colour in late spring and early summer, easily paired with other perennials.
• A plant that maintains its visual appeal even between flowering periods.

What are the different varieties of Geum?
Different Geum varieties can transform your garden with their unique colours, flower shapes, and growth habits—from Alpine Avens to Water Avens. Offering a rich palette and a variety of forms, Geum flowers are well-suited to a wide range of garden styles and planting schemes. Here are some of the beautiful varieties available from DutchGrown:

• Geum ‘Mai Tai’: A clump-forming perennial that produces double, fruit-toned flowers in a captivating blend of apricot and yellow-orange.
• Geum ‘Cosmopolitan’: This elegant variety features semi-double blooms reminiscent of miniature roses, displaying a charming mix of rose pink, cream and apricot hues.
• Geum ‘Tequila Sunrise’: Medium-sized flowers with bright yellow petals edged in soft pink—perfect for adding a cheerful splash of colour to any border.
• Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’: Geum 'Totally Tangerine' is a popular sterile hybrid that produces masses of apricot-orange flowers over a very long period.

Can’t decide which variety to try? Why not opt for the Geum ‘Cocktail Series Mix’? This carefully curated collection includes ‘Cosmopolitan’, ‘Mai Tai’, and ‘Tequila Sunrise’, each bringing its own charm to form a harmonious and dynamic floral display.

How to grow Geum flowers?
To grow Geum flowers successfully, provide them with sunlight, a cool position, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture during the growing season. You can plant Avens bare-root directly in the garden or in containers by following the simple step-by-step guide below. For more detailed advice, read our growing guide ‘How to grow Geum’.

1. Choose the right location: Select a spot in full sun or partial shade with good air circulation and easy access to water. These hardy perennials can tolerate cold temperatures, making them well-suited to the UK climate.
2. Prepare the soil: Dig and clear weeds from your garden bed. Aim for fertile, humus-rich ground with good drainage. For containers, use a soil-based or multipurpose compost.
3. Prepare the roots: Soak the Geum bare roots in water for 3 to 6 hours before planting.
4. Plant at the correct depth: Plant the roots so they are fully covered with soil, with the crown or buds just below the surface. Any visible top growth or leaves should remain above ground. Space plants approximately 30 cm apart.
5. Water well: After planting, water thoroughly.

How to care for Geum plants?
Caring for your Avens plants is essential for keeping them healthy and producing vibrant blooms. It requires just a few simple tasks to thrive. With regular attention, your plants will continue to flower beautifully and remain tidy throughout the growing season. Here are the key care tips:

• Watering: Geum plants should be watered regularly during the first few weeks after planting to help them establish. Once established, Geum plants are relatively drought-tolerant and should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
• Deadheading: Geum plants should be deadheaded regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
• Winter protection: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant in late autumn to help insulate the roots when winter temperatures drop. Take care to avoid overly wet soil, as persistent damp can cause root rot.
• Division: To maintain vigour and prevent overcrowding, divide mature clumps every 2–3 years.

Explore DutchGrown’s premium Geum bare roots
If you want Geums that perform reliably and look their best, it all starts with quality. At DutchGrown, we specialise in top-grade Avens bare roots, carefully selected for strong growth and real results in the garden.

Our expertly chosen varieties help you create borders you can be proud of—season after season. Explore our Geum collection to find the cultivars that suit your garden style, and enjoy vibrant colour from late spring into early summer, with the possibility of a second flush when conditions are favourable. We deliver across the United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions about the Avens plant

Where is the best place to plant Geums?
Geum plants thrive in full to partial sunlight and prefer a location that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid full shade. For best results, choose a fertile, moist, humus-rich border or use a soil-based or multipurpose compost when planting in containers. These hardy perennials tolerate cold well and perform reliably in temperate regions, making them an excellent choice for most UK gardens.

Do Geums come back each year?
Geums can return year after year when grown in the right conditions. Avens is a hardy perennial that re-emerges each spring from its roots, particularly when planted in favourable climates. Position the roots in full sun or partial shade, and provide moist but well-drained soil to support healthy growth. To maintain vigour, divide mature clumps every two to three years.

Do Geum plants spread?
Many cultivated Geum varieties are well-behaved in the garden, forming neat clumps without spreading aggressively. However, some species, particularly Wood Avens (Geum ‘Urbanum’), can behave more like an invasive, non-native weed in certain areas, spreading readily by seed and outcompeting other plants.