What A genus of around 54 species in the Rosaceae family. Geums are hardy evergreen perennials with showy brightly coloured flowers, and are commonly known as avens.
Origins Native to temperate regions of all continents (apart from Australia and Antarctica), geums are particularly found in a swathe across the Northern Hemisphere, with hotspots in the Balkans and Chile. Many garden forms are cultivated hybrids.
Season Mid-spring to summer with the key months being March to June.
Size Ranging from 15cm to over 80cm high. Plants are either clumping or spreading.
Conditions in general, geums need fertile, moisture-retentive soil. In cultivation, those derived from G.rivale require shade, while cultivars of G. quellyon (previously G. chiloense) can adapt to sun or semi-shade.
Hardiness Geums are generally hardy throughout the UK with an RHS rating of H7, and suitable for gardens in USDA zones 3a to 7b.
Hard-working and handsome, plants from the genus Geum are perfect for their season. Coming into bloom in spring, just as the tree canopy starts to close and earlier plants retreat, geums carry on flowering until all the joys of summer are in full spate. They are hardy, evergreen and resistant to pests and diseases. The edible leaves and clove-scented roots have been used for brewing, baking and in medicinal tinctures to combat chills and catarrh - and even protect against plague. Nowadays, however, it is as a garden subject that Geum is best known and grown.
Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
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Denne historien er fra June 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Field of Dreams - The naturalistic gem Hans Gieszen has created in former meadowlands near Utrecht in the Netherlands is the culmination of a lifelong passion
Ever since his mother gave him seeds as a small boy, gardening has been a passion for Hans Gieszen. He is completely self-taught, relying on garden visits and books for instruction, with one book in particular, Dream Plants for the Natural Garden by Henk Gerritsen and Piet Oudolf, influencing his style. “It was fascinating,” says Hans, remembering his first encounter with the book. “All those photos – pictures with mists and these tall and low plants and grasses. I realised I couldn’t do it in my small garden, but I kept dreaming and reading about it.”
WORLD OF POSSIBILITY
This superb tour of the world's botanical gardens highlights their vital role in saving the planet's flora, says Claire Masset
THE FEMININE TOUCH?
Does your garden have masculine or feminine style, and does it even matter? Head gardener Benjamin Pope unpicks gardening's gender stereotypes
'If you emulate nature, you're on to a winner'
Gardener, television presenter and author Carol Klein talks about her new book, the books she loves, her current challenges and what she's up to next
FRIENDLY ADVICE
When tasked with creating a garden for her friends, designer Neive Tierney found the project came with challenges - not least the need to include a wheelchair ramp and squeeze in a saltwater swimming pool
Passing the baton
The celebrated nursery and garden at Marchants Hardy Plants in East Sussex is now being managed by a new team, who continue to inspire visitors with innovative planting
My sweet gourd
Clark Lawrence, an American living in the heart of Italy's pumpkin province, loves growing different cultivars of pumpkins and ornamental gourds for their sweet flavours and fabulous looks
ANDY JASPER
The new CEO of the Eden Project on his excitement about a new chapter, the legacy he's left at the National Trust and his joy at heading home to Cornwall
Bedding in
In just under nine years, the owners of Arvensis Nursery in Wiltshire have created a mature garden that displays their high-quality perennials
Late summer dreams
From cool pastels and foliage to hot colours, designer Jo Thompson creates three stylish container combinations for autumn