Avens or Geum is a charming perennial that, for a time, fell out of favour. Was it because its old-fashioned name sounded too antique? Or because its modest stature and discreet character were easily overshadowed by louder plants?
Hard to know… Gardeners' moods and tastes can be changeable. Fortunately, here it is back in borders and in hearts.
If it hasn't won yours yet, here are good reasons to welcome it into your garden.
- Avens is sprightly, airy and utterly chic
Avens is a chic beauty, a little coquettish but without excess. Its flowers, single or double, with a natural look, are borne on tall, thin, supple stems. They come in a lovely range of colours, vivid or pastel, from butter yellow to red, often tinged with orange or pink. Its petals, sometimes slightly wavy, arrange themselves, skirt-like, around a delicate centre. Its toothed foliage provides a perfect setting and can even be an extra asset when it dons a golden dress, as with the sublime and 'Eos'.
- Avens flower from late spring into early summer… and sometimes even longer
It is a floriferous perennial that has the advantage of making an appearance when many other perennials are finishing or not yet in bloom. From late April through June, avens take over from early perennials and bridge the gap to early summer. Some varieties, like 'Totally Tangerine' (our customers' favourite this spring) are true champions, carrying their fruity orange for nearly five months!
Geum 'Totally Tangerine', photographed in our greenhouses
- Geum slips in everywhere and pairs easily
Compact, Geum slips easily into a border, even a well-filled one. It pairs just as easily.
Yellow cultivars such as 'Banana Daiquiri' or 'Cocktail Gimlet' (to be enjoyed without moderation!) perfectly complement the flowering of blue hardy geraniums such as 'Spinners'.
The bright oranges pair, to great effect, with Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation' or sage 'Caradonna' to create dynamic combinations.
In a different, softer, tonal palette, 'Cosmopolitan', 'Mai Tai' and 'Flames of Passion' will also charm you with their subtle yet never bland colours.
Geum 'Cosmopolitan' and 'Mai Tai'
Avens, of all colours, also get on well with columbines with whom they share a flair for frills… You can also plant them in a summer border with monardas, oxeye daisies or echinaceas that will take over at the end of their flowering. Note that Geum triflorum is perfect for a "prairie" style: once faded, its flowers turn into pretty pink, feathery egrets.
Geum triflorum and its pretty egrets (Photo: Matt Lavin)
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They are easy to grow, even in rather damp soil
Geums grow in non-scorching sun or light shade, in good garden soil, preferably cool (in rather dry soil, a few waterings and a good mulch usually do the trick) and even in very wet soil for stream avens (G. rivale).
Geum rivale 'Leonard's variety'
Finally, know that they are hardy and reliable. What more could you ask?
And you, are you also a devotee of these lovely perennials? How far would you go to find a sought-after variety? Here, Pierre even brought some back from Bavaria… Who can top that?
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