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Cottage Gardens

Do you grow Geums?

14 years ago

I have been gardening forevcer. Well, seems like it anyway. But sometimes I stumble upon a plant that I have never grown.

I sent for a catalog from Annies Annuals (and now perennials too) and there is the most beautiful Geum listed. This one is bright red and called Blazing Sunset.

Anyway, I don't know anything about geums. All advice appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (10)

organic_kitten
14 years ago
Never heard of it Rita, What does it resemble?
kay
newyorkrita
Original Author
14 years ago
No like any perennial I have. They say they look like little roses. The flowers sure are bright looking. You know I love color!
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christinmk z5b eastern WA
14 years ago
Do I grow Geums? LOL, YES!!! I have a major problem when it comes to Geum...if I see one I want it.

Over the past few years I have grown about a dozen types of Geum. They are great plants, depending on the kind you get and your growing conditions. There are many types of Geum, but the ones most commonly seen are the chiloense (aka quellyon), coccineum, and hybrids.

I have not had much luck with the chiloense Geums. They do not handle wet winters as well as the coccineum, in my opinion. I imagine a warmer zone might be more to their liking as well. The coccineum do not die out as easily (though division when they look ratty always helps to prolong life). Most Geum like moist yet well draining soil.

'Mrs. Bradshaw', 'Lady Strathden', 'Blazing Sunset', 'Double Bloody Mary' are all chiloense Geums that I have grown. Only Lady Strathden and one (out of many) Mrs. Bradshaw are still living. The rest died out ages ago.

The coccineum Geum I have grown:
'Coppertone'- wonderful peach color. Killed mine by putting in dry area- need to get a new one.

'Mango Lassi'- vigorous plant. Yellow with peach and orange tints.

'Borisii', 'Cooky', 'Pumpkin'. All nice bright orange colors. My favorite is the Cooky.

Other nice Geum:
'Fireball'- robust hybrid with double orange flowers. Stands around two feet tall. Love it!

G. rivale 'Flames of Passion'. Geum rivale is known as the Water Avens since it is native to wetland areas. Bought this particular cultivar last year and it seems to be doing amazingly well in a part sun location with moderate moisture. Can't wait to see the flowers on this baby!

G. triflorum 'Prairie Smoke'. Geum triflorum (commonly called Old Man's Wiskers) is another nice native. Can be grown in dry-ish spots, though mine does great in moister soil. The small "ox-head" flowers are not considered showy (though I kind of like em'), it is the fantastic pink plumes they produce that are the main attraction! At first I thought it looked kind of weedy. But after three years it turned into this beauty:
{{gwi:284555}}

G. macrophyllum- Big Leaf Avens. A native to the PNW with large foliage and small yellow flowers. Very weedy.

There are several other cultivars I hope to try out in the near future as well. Also searching for that rare Balkan beauty Geum reptans- I must possess it!!! Lol.

My recommendations for a Geum newbie is to try out the 'Mango Lassi', 'Prairie Smoke', and maybe 'Fireball'- those have been the easiest ones to grow in my garden. I have several pics of my Geum, so feel free to e-mail me if you would like to see any of them. Hope this has helped you some!
CMK
newyorkrita
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow, you sure do grow or have grown lots of Geums. I really don't want to start on growing or trying out many different types. I need something that stays fairy low, don't want to stake or have them take over the world. I also just loved the color and the picture of the looks of the flower on the Blazing Sunset.
woodyoak zone 5 southern Ont., Canada
14 years ago
I don't grow any because there's a wild type that is a weed around here. If I planted a cultivated one, I'd probably end up ripping it out at some point, thinking it was the weed type...
newyorkrita
Original Author
14 years ago
Honestly if I have seen Geums, they didn't impress me. This one Blazing Sunset did. I love the color, I love the fact that the plant is not overly large and sprawly. I love the fact that this one blooms all the time. Thats what I like, a perennial that just keeps on blooming.

I just ordered ten plants.
teakettle2
14 years ago
I grow Mrs. Bradshaw-she does wonderfully well here, over winters and takes the heat. I like the coarse furry leaves, makes a nice clump. Isnt it fun to try something new? Good luck...
Nancy
14 years ago
I used to grow a geum & really liked it, but accidentally ripped it out. Someone had sent me the wild one in a trade, boy does that move everywhere, & I pulled out the wrong one.
scottyboipdx
14 years ago
Hi Christin...love that Prairie Smoke!!! I've been thinking of getting some for a while...how long do the plumes last? I'd be more willing to put them in if they lasted quite a while.

Thanks,

Scott
christinmk z5b eastern WA
14 years ago
Hi Scott! I am sure you will love the 'Prairie Smoke' once you get it! The plumes add such a nice texture to the garden too...
I would say the plumes last about three to four weeks. Hope you get some. ;-)
CMK

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