Geum Alabama Slammer

From the new 'Cocktails' collection of avens, 'Alabama Slammer' forms a compact perennial that sets ablaze flower beds with its 3cm (1in) semi-double crumpled flowers, in a gradient of orange-red with a golden yellow centre. Carried by graceful, purple-tinged floral stems, they rise from May to August above a compact cushion of beautifully cut light green leaves, gracefully covering the ground in all seasons. Hardy and easy to grow, this variety is suitable for planting in all gardens, in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil, even if it's chalky!

Geums are herbaceous perennials of the Rosaceae family, very hardy, native to temperate or colder regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. Geum 'Alabama Slammer' is a recent horticultural hybrid. This perennial plant forms a clump of basal foliage composed of upright, semi-evergreen leaves. They are light green and vibrant, rounded and lobed, finely velvety, and measure 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) long.  From May to August, the flowers appear on thin, dark and ramified stems, rising very gracefully above the foliage, blooming in cymes of up to 10 flowers per stem. Each flower measures 3cm (1in) in diameter and is slightly translucent, animated by well-visible veins, and enhanced by a large two-tone stamen, yellow and faded red in the centre. The petals are golden yellow ablaze with red-orange hues. This medium-sized variety with rapid growth measures 35cm in height and 40cm (16in) in spread. Like many long-flowering perennials, this avens is not very long-lived, so it is advisable to divide it every three years to keep it in the garden for longer.

Hardy and very floriferous, avens is an easy plant, very accommodating, worth rediscovering for its simplicity and solidity. It appreciates sunny or semi-shaded situations and grows in ordinary, moist but well-drained soil. To fully enjoy its magnificent flowering, this beautiful variety, 'Alabama Slammer', will be ideally placed in border of flower beds, mixed borders, in fresh rockeries or even in a container. Its floral stems will compose magnificent bouquets with the bright green-yellow flowers of Alchemilla mollis. Requiring some space to develop well, it is important to leave enough space around its base. It will blend beautifully with other spring and summer-flowering perennials, its warm colour will contrast nicely with the purple foliage of Heucheras and creeping bugles. The bright pink blooms of Bergenias or delicate blue flowers of Campanulas and Polemoniums in partial shade will bring out all the nuances of its beautiful flowers. By mixing several varieties of avens together, you can create sublime scenes with romantic or vibrant colours! In full sun, it will pair perfectly with daylilies, Rudbeckias, Scabious, and bushy wallflowers.