Brighten Your Portland Landscape with Colorful Orange Flowers – Geum (Avens)

If you’re looking to add lively colors to your garden, let me introduce you to Geum, also known as Avens. This charming perennial bursts with vibrant blooms ranging from soft yellows, pumpkin and peaches to fiery oranges and scarlets, making it a sought-after choice among my Portland landscape design clients this year.

The Appeal of Geum in Landscape Design

I love incorporating Geum into my designs because it’s as easy to grow as it is pleasing to the eye. There are plenty of cultivated varieties to choose from, with color palettes spanning from subtle peaches to bright scarlet. Available in both low, path-edging sizes and taller 24-inch varieties, Geum is popular right now, especially with the recent introduction of hot orange and melon-hued cultivars that thrive in full sun.  This plant is also a great addition to pollinator friendly planting plans.

Some of my favorites include the sterile variety ‘Totally Tangerine’ and the sun-scorch resistant ‘Starkers Magnificum.‘ Other notable mentions are ‘Lemoncello,’ ‘Firestorm,’ ‘Mai Tai,’ and ‘Sangria.’ Each offers a unique splash of color to your garden.

Choosing Companion Plants

Pairing Geum with the right companions can make or break its beauty in your garden. Lavender makes an excellent partner due to its contrasting leaf color and shape. Avoid planting Geum next to Black Eyed Susan,  as their foliage can look too similar.  Tip: Consider using ornamental grasses to visually separate them.

Care and Maintenance Tips for Geum

While Geum is relatively low maintenance, informed care can go a long way in keeping it thriving. Plan for regular irrigation, especially if the plant is in full sun. Yearly garden mulching is beneficial, while fertilizer is not typically required. Deadheading is essential to prolong the blooming period and keep your Geum looking its best. If you don’t deadhead the plant will still look great but not as colorful for as long.

As for dividing your Geum, the new sterile varieties don’t typically require it. However, if you notice reduced flowering, woody stems, or overly clumped plants, it’s time to divide and conquer! This can also be a great way to propagate more plants for your garden.

Keeping Those Blooms Coming

Interested in extended flowering? Go for sterile varieties, as they channel more energy into blooming rather than seed production. In terms of growing conditions, differentiate between sun-loving Geums and those that prefer partial shade or dappled light.

Regular deadheading is a must for maintaining long flower production. Remove the spent flower heads just above the next bud on the stem. If your plant looks a bit tired, and you don’t want to deadhead each small flower, presto!  Cutting it back to the ground – ideally around mid-June in Portland – can rejuvenate its appearance for the season, though it typically won’t bloom again that year.

Watch and Learn

I recommend checking out a video from 2023 that demonstrates deadheading techniques. Toward the end, you’ll also learn about Geum varieties suited for woodland or shaded areas versus those thriving in sunny spots.

Ready to spice up your garden with Geum or need help with landscape design? Feel free to reach out to me, your Portland landscape design partner, and let’s transform your garden into a vibrant and colorful landscape oasis! Landscape Design in a Day creates custom planting plans as part of our design service.