Geum Censation Lipstick

Geum 'Censation Lipstick' is a particularly floriferous new Dutch variety, with its coquettish flowering displaying lovely pastel tones. Its semi-double flowers bloom abundantly from spring to summer. The pale-yellow buds open into cream-yellow corollas with a pretty pink-orange border. They are visually pleasing, above lush, vibrant green foliage that forms a beautiful backdrop for its tender pastel bouquets. A hardy and carefree perennial that will faithfully bloom every year. Simple and robust, avens are once again finding their way into our gardens and patios. Grow in the sun, in moist, well-drained, and fertile soil.

Geums are hardy herbaceous perennials from the Rosaceae family, originating from temperate or colder regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. Crossed with each other, they have given rise to numerous hybrids, including 'Censation Lipstick', belonging to a series of carefully selected varieties in the Netherlands for their ornamental qualities. This compact and bushy variety reaches about 45cm (18in) in height and about 40cm (16in) in width. It forms a clump and develops upright basal leaves, which persist more or less in winter. They are quite deep but vibrant green, irregular and finely velvety, measuring 10cm (4in) long and wide. It produces thin, branched stems, which are loosely upright above the foliage. These stems bear clusters of several semi-double flowers. The first ones to bloom, in May-June, measure about 5cm (2in) in diameter. Once the flowering is well underway, the abundantly produced corollas are slightly smaller. The flowering continues throughout the summer if the soil remains sufficiently moist. The flowers consist of slightly translucent pale-yellow petals, irregularly edged with salmon-pink, and enhanced by a large heart of prominent yellow stamens. Like many long-flowering perennials, this avens does not have a very long lifespan, so it is advisable to divide it every three years to avoid losing the plant. This sterile variety does not produce seeds.

Hardy and floriferous, it is an easy and accommodating plant. It appreciates sunny or semi-shaded situations and grows in ordinary, moist, but well-drained soil. To fully enjoy its magnificent flowering, plant 'Censation Lipstick' at the edge of borders, flower beds, mixed borders, rockeries, or even in pots. Its floral stems will make magnificent bouquets. It requires some space to grow well, so make sure to leave room around its base. It will blend beautifully with other perennials that flower in spring or summer. In partial shade, it will pair well with pasque flowers, alchemillas, euphorbias, grasses, and salvias. You can create sublime scenes with vibrant colours by mixing several varieties of avens together. In the sun, it will perfectly complement a wide range of plants, such as rudbeckias, scabious, and perennial geraniums.