There are over 50 species of plants in the Geum genus, commonly called Avens. They are rhizomatous perennial herbaceous plants in the rose family and are native to Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America. The genus name is from Latin and means scarlet. They generally grow 9-18 inches tall in a mounding habit. There are Geum species that are native to NC, especially in the mountains and Piedmont. They all have attractive, divided dark green leaves and small, bright flowers with 5 or more petals. Avens grow best in cool climates, and while they tolerate dry soil, they prefer moist but well-drained soils. They can die if exposed to wet winter soils. They grow in full sun to partial shade but can struggle with the heat and humidity of southern summers. Yearly division is necessary to keep plantings vigorous. Deadhead flowers encourage more bloom but leave some spent blooms on as seed heads are attractive fluffy plumes. Does well planted in mass, in borders, English gardens, cottage gardens or rock gardens, and the leafy green foliage makes a nice ground cover after bloom. Insect, Diseases, and Other Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot can be a problem in poorly drained soils, particularly in winter. May be short-lived in heavy clay soil or hot summer climates.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Rosettes of large hairy green leaves pinnately arranged and composed of a large terminal leaflet and a pair of smaller leaflets. Shapes and sizes are variable depending on the species.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Usually flowers in late spring in shades of white, red, yellow, and orange on wiry stems in loose clusters. They can be single, double or semi-double flowers depending on the species. Deadheading can extend the bloom season throughout summer. Flowers can be nodding or erect. Some start out nodding and then become erect.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
Achenes are feathery-looking seedheads and can be showy with some species.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green wiry branched or unbranched stems may have hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Northern Hemisphere and South America
Wildlife value
Deer resistant. Larval host for some Lepidoptera butterflies. Flowers attract bees
Attracts
Butterflies
Host plant for
some Lepidoptera butterflies
Play value
Colorful; Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Small Space; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; English Garden; Fairy Garden; Native Garden; Rock Garden