Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Geum rivale 'Album'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

water avens 'Album'

A compact, clump-forming perennial to 45cm tall with hairy, toothed, mid-green basal leaves and greenish stems bearing several creamy-white nodding, bell-shaped flowers to 2cm across in late spring and summer

Synonyms
Geum rivale alba
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Cream White Green
Summer Green Cream White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in moisture-retentive soil that is not waterlogged during winter and in a position in light shade or a sunny spot

Propagation

Propagate by seed and overwinter in a cold frame or propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Cut back flowered stems or deadhead to encourage flowering through the summer

Pests

May be susceptible to geum sawfly and leaf miners

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews in dry soils

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.