ease of care, these unassuming little perennials are largely unknown and underutilized by gardeners. Geums, also called avens, have so many things going for them.

Most notable are the mini rose-like flowers on the hybrid varieties; they bloom profusely in red, orange, pink, yellow, and many subtle shades in between. Their long, wiry stems make them ideal for cut flower arrangements, and their bright blooms are pollinator magnets. Many geum varieties have a long bloom period, often from late spring through mid-summer.

After writing the bulk of this article, I decided to poll my mom, a serious gardener of several decades, about its subject matter.

“What do you think of geums?”

Her response: “Huh?”

Think you might have room for a lesser-known geum or two in your garden? Keep reading to learn how to grow and care for this cheery plant.
What Are Geums?
Geums are herbaceous flowering perennials known for their colorful and long-lasting blooms. There are approximately 50 different species of the Geum genus. Several are native to North America, including Geum rivale (water avens), G. canadense (white avens), G. macrophyllum (large-leaf avens), and G. triflorum (prairie smoke).

In recent years, horticulturists have taken an interest in cultivating hybrids of G. rivale, Geum chiloense (Chilean geum), and Geum coccineum (European geum), leading to the creation of many richly colored cultivars.

Characteristics
Geum forms clumping rosettes of bristly green foliage that may be evergreen in the warmer reaches of its range. Scalloped leaves are a medium-bright green in color and wrinkly in texture. Some species are deeply lobed. The foliage of some species looks very similar to that of strawberry plants. This makes sense, as geums are members of the Rosaceae family, which includes roses and strawberries.

While its foliage may be slightly underwhelming, geum produces charming flowers in beautiful shades of bold orange, rich red, and warm peach. Cup-shaped flowers emerge from upright stems in May or June and can last through the summer depending on the cultivar. Flowers can be single or double, with the ruffled, double cultivars resembling gorgeous miniature ranunculus blooms.

Geum is a petite plant; the foliage mounds may only stand 6-12 inches tall, with flowers and stems adding another 6-12 inches in height. They are well-behaved additions to the garden, expanding to 12-24 inches in width and spreading slowly via rhizomes.

Native Area
Native Geum species grow across the cooler regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. While they vary in precise growing requirements, generally they prefer moist, well-drained soil, moderate temperatures, and plenty of sunshine. They do not flourish in overly dry, arid growing environments.

How to Grow
This perennial is a little particular about its growing location. However, once planted, they need very little maintenance to stay happy and healthy.

Light
Geum flowers most prolifically in plenty of sunshine. In cooler regions, plant this perennial in full sun. However, it is sensitive to heat. Gardeners in warm climates may want to plant them in a location that receives some afternoon shade. If they are wilting despite consistently moist soil, it may be a sign they need more shade.

Water
Continual moisture is required to keep geum looking its very best, especially in hot or dry climates. In the weeks after planting, water thoroughly to help it get established. Geums will become slightly more tolerant of dry periods once settled, but they will still need some supplemental watering during the hottest weeks of summer.

With the exception of Geum rivale (water avens), which is native to the boggy meadows and wetland edges of northeastern North America, most of the hybrid cultivars do not grow well when perpetually wet.

Soil
Geum thrives in well-drained, fertile soils. This plant does not tolerate heavy soil. It may be short-lived in clay or soils that are persistently wet through the winter. Incorporating plenty of compost during planting will help soils retain moisture without becoming compacted and heavy. Geum triflorum (commonly referred to as “prairie smoke”), is native to the central prairies of North America and adapted to even leaner, more sharply-drained soils. Sandy loam is ideal.

Temperature and Humidity
Geums are hardy in USDA zones 5-7, although specific cultivars and species may tolerate warmer zones outside that range. This plant prefers cool to moderate climates. Take advantage of any microclimates in your garden that might offer geums protection from strong winds (which may damage delicate stems) or direct sun, particularly in hot climates.

Fertilizing
Geums are not heavy feeders. A healthy dose of compost prior to planting will provide most, if not all, of the nutrients that this plant needs. If your soil is particularly poor, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once during the growing season. Overfertilizing with a nitrogen-heavy amendment may lead to more foliage growth with fewer flowers.

Maintenance
Despite being a bit picky about soil and water, geums are surprisingly low maintenance. Deadhead non-sterile cultivars after flowering to help prolong their bloom period. Prune back flowering stems once the plant finishes blooming. Depending on the climate, the clumping foliage may persist throughout the winter.

Planting
Their small stature and wiry, graceful stems make geums an easy candidate for a variety of planting settings. Position this plant at the front or middle of a border bed. For a classic cottage garden vibe, try planting with lady’s mantle, peonies, irises, and allium – the geum will continue to fill the bed with color even after the shorter-lived iris and allium blooms have faded.

Their low, clumping growth habit makes geums well-suited to both containers as well as alpine rock gardens, provided the soil isn’t too dry. Pair with moss phlox and Lewisia for a diminutive but beautiful display along the top of a rock wall.