Scarlet Avens
Geum coccineum · Rosaceae
📷 Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant scarlet avens: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Scarlet Avens
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Adult height
- 30 cm
- Flowering
- May to July
- Flower color
- Scarlet red
- Foliage
- Deciduous, dark green
- Hardiness
- Hardy, down to -15°C
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant in a sunny massed bed with well-draining soil. Divide clumps every 3-4 years after flowering to rejuvenate the plant and intensify blooms.
The common mistake
Without regular division, the clump exhausts itself, flowers less, and becomes bare in the center.
The pro's trick
After flowering (July), cut faded flowers at ground level: a light second bloom often appears in September/October.
Care
Light exposure
Plant your scarlet avens in full sun for generous flowering and intensely red flower color. It tolerates light afternoon shade in very hot regions. A minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily is recommended for optimal development.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but well-drained during the growing period. Water regularly in spring and summer, especially during dry spells. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when the plant goes dormant.
Soil and planting
Prefer light, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Scarlet avens appreciate slightly acidic to neutral soil. Improve heavy soil with compost or sand to prevent root suffocation.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. A single application in March-April is generally sufficient to support flowering. Avoid excess nitrogen which could encourage foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove spent flowers regularly to extend the flowering period. In late autumn or early winter, cut back the clump to 10-15 cm from the ground after the foliage has dried. This pruning promotes vigorous regrowth in spring.
Diseases and pests
Scarlet avens are generally robust. Monitor excessive moisture which could promote powdery mildew or root rot. Good drainage and air circulation are sufficient to prevent most problems. Pests are rare on this species.
Did you know?
The genus Geum owes its name to the Latin term "geum" which already designated a plant of the Rosaceae family in antiquity. Scarlet avens, with its remarkable small red flowers, was once cultivated in European ornamental gardens as an emblem of alpine hardiness and is gradually being rediscovered by gardeners who appreciate easy and long-lasting perennials.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Apple treeMalus domestica
- Cherry treePrunus avium
- BlackthornPrunus spinosa
- Salad burnetPoterium sanguisorba
- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.