Several of these pretty flowers are found naturally in Canada and the U.S., but those especially valued in gardens are natives of South America and the Near East. Geums (Avens) grow from 1 to 2 feet high; some are great for the herbaceous border and some are suitable for the rock garden. Geum 'Lady Strathenden' forms clumps of large, lobed, medium green leaves that are heart-shaped at the base. Its bright yellow, double flowers are cup-shaped and produced on arching, branching stems, during the summer. Geum 'Borisii' has large, pale to mid-green leaves and brilliant orange, single, cup-shaped flowers that grow atop long, hairy stems during the summer. Geum rivale (Water Avens) produces bronze-rose colored flowers and is great for planting by the side of a pond or pool in the bog garden.

Grow these perennials in moist, well-drained garden soil in sun. They may die during the winter, in soil that is heavy and clayey; to remedy this, add sand and compost to the soil.

These plants may be divided in the spring or fall. Seeds may also be sown in sandy soil in the spring.

Geum Lady Strathenden;
Geum Bradshaw;
Geum Fire Opal;
Geum Orangeman;
Geum Princess Juliana;
Geum Red Wings;
Geum Borisii;
Geum reptans;
Geum Heldreichii;
Geum rivale;
Geum chiolense.