Geum reptans

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creeping avens

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creeping avens visionspictures.com
creeping avens visionspictures.com

Other common names

cure-all, drooping avens, Evans root, yellow bedstraw

Synonyms

Sieversia reptans

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial Alpine Rockery

A clump-forming, spreading perennial, to around 15cm high, spreading by slender red-tinted stolons, with rosettes of pinnate leaves divided into toothed leaflets. Large, bright yellow flowers to 4cm across in early summer, are followed by tufted pinkish seed heads

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Spreading branched
Genus
Geum are rhizomatous perennials, occasionally spreading by stolons, with a basal rosette of pinnately lobed leaves and saucer-shaped flowers in loose clusters
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Alps

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; will tolerate light shade but flowering is better in sun. Avoid areas that are waterlogged over winter

Propagation

Propagate seed or by division in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to encourage more flowers

Pests

May be susceptible to geum sawfly

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews