Avens
Geum species. ROSACEAE.
Planting and Growing Avens
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow avens in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of avens
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for avens
- Season of bloom and planting time for avens
- When, how deep, and where to plant avens
- How to plant avens
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of avens
- Landscape and container uses of avens
- Comments about avens and its features
Growing Avens
Over 50 species and many hybrids of long-lived, mounding, semi-evergreen perennial herbs, 1–2 ft. (30–60 cm) tall, 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) wide. Smooth, deep green, divided, irregular and wavy-edged, veined, toothed leaves, 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) long.
Commonly cultivated species include dwarf orange or red avens, Geum coccineum, with orange or red flowers; Indian chocolate, Geum rivale; and prairie smoke, Geum triflorum.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Single, semi-double, or double, orange, bright red, yellow, roselike flowers, on tall branching stems, in late spring–summer.
Best Climates
Hardy. Zones 3–7. Best in cold-winter, cool-summer climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained humus. Fertility: Rich. 7.0–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun to partial shade, 12–18 in. (30–45 cm) apart, after soil warms.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist. Fertilize monthly during growth. Mulch. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for accents, island beds, edgings in shade, rock, woodland gardens. Good for cutting. Downy mildew susceptible.