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How to Grow Geum

Geum chiloense

Perennial

Geum is a cheerful, easy-going perennial that produces masses of warm-toned flowers from late spring into summer. Plant in moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade, spacing about 35 cm apart. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to extend the display. Geums are relatively short-lived, so divide clumps every three years in spring to keep them vigorous. They combine beautifully with alchemilla and hardy geraniums in cottage-style borders.

Yearly Lifecycle

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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Spring Growth Flowering Growing Leaf Fall

Care Essentials

Apply a balanced general-purpose feed in spring as new growth appears.

Watch For

  • Sawfly larvae on leaves
  • Vine weevil grubs at the roots
  • Powdery mildew in dry spells

Companions

Alchemilla mollis, Geranium, Astrantia, Salvia

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Care Requirements

☀️ Light

Full sun to partial shade

Geums flower best in full sun but tolerate partial shade, especially afternoon shade in warmer areas. At least four to five hours of direct sun is ideal.

💧 Watering

Keep soil evenly moist

Unlike many border perennials, geums prefer consistently moist soil. Water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first season. Avoid waterlogging which causes crown rot.

🌱 Fertilizing

Light feed in spring

Apply a balanced general-purpose fertilizer or a thin layer of garden compost in spring. Avoid heavy feeding which produces lush foliage at the expense of flowers.

✂️ Pruning

Deadhead regularly, cut back in autumn

Remove spent flower stems promptly to encourage repeat flowering through summer. Cut back tatty foliage in late autumn or early spring before new growth emerges.

🍂 Mulching

Moisture-retaining mulch in spring

Apply a layer of garden compost or bark mulch around the base in spring to retain soil moisture. Keep mulch away from the crown to prevent rot.

Growing Tips

Deadhead for repeat flowering

Remove spent flower stems promptly to encourage a second flush of blooms in late summer. Cut the stem back to the basal foliage.

Divide regularly to maintain vigour

Geums are short-lived perennials that lose vigour after a few years. Lift and divide in early spring every 3 years, replanting the healthiest outer portions.

Keep soil consistently moist

Unlike many perennials, geums prefer soil that stays evenly moist. Mulch around the base in spring to retain moisture, but avoid waterlogging.

Choose the right spot

Full sun gives the best flowering, but geums appreciate afternoon shade in hot summers. Avoid very dry or very wet positions.

Pests & Diseases

Pest Vine Weevil

Identification: Irregular notches on leaf edges from adult feeding; plants wilting or collapsing in spring from root-feeding grubs

Organic treatment:
  • Apply biological nematode control (Steinernema kraussei) in autumn when soil is warm
  • Check containers and borders in autumn for C-shaped white grubs
Chemical treatment:
  • Drench soil with acetamiprid-based vine weevil killer in late summer
Pest Sawfly Larvae

Identification: Small green caterpillar-like larvae on the undersides of leaves; leaves reduced to a network of veins

Organic treatment:
  • Pick off larvae by hand when spotted
  • Encourage natural predators such as birds and ground beetles
Chemical treatment:
  • Spray with a contact insecticide containing pyrethrin if infestations are severe
Pest Aphids

Identification: Clusters of green or black aphids on stem tips and flower buds; sticky honeydew on leaves

Organic treatment:
  • Blast off with a strong jet of water
  • Encourage ladybirds, lacewings, and hoverflies
Chemical treatment:
  • Spray with a pyrethrin-based insecticide if infestations are severe
Disease Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, especially in dry conditions with poor air circulation

Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves; improve air circulation by thinning crowded clumps

Prevention: Ensure good spacing; keep soil moist; avoid overhead watering

Disease Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with greyish-purple fuzzy growth underneath; leaves may curl and die

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves; improve air circulation

Prevention: Avoid overhead watering; ensure good spacing; remove debris in autumn

Disease Crown Rot

Symptoms: Soft, mushy crown at soil level; plant collapses; foul smell when crown is inspected

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants; improve drainage before replanting

Prevention: Ensure good drainage; avoid heavy mulching against the crown; do not overwater

Popular Varieties

Mrs J. Bradshaw, Lady Stratheden, Totally Tangerine, Mai Tai, Flames of Passion, Prinses Juliana

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