Precious geums
The long-lasting stars that are guaranteed to add a glorious blaze of colour to early summer
MANGO Lassi, Cumbrian Cherry Pie, Apricot Sundae, Lemon Drops, Strawberries and Cream, Custard Pie, Pineapple Crush and Totally Tangerine – no, these are not desserts, but just a few of the deliciously named varieties of geum.
Sadly, these plants don’t get their tags because they are good to eat (although parts are edible and have been used in medicine for centuries). Rather, their names are a nod to the vibrant shades of their long-lasting flowers. Most varieties have single flowers with a boss of yellow stamens in the centre, while a few boast fuller, semi-double or completely double blooms.
The flowers of these perennials are held on 6in to 3ft wiry stems above clumps of divided, toothed and scalloped foliage. Plants are at their peak from late spring until the end of June, although some varieties produce flowers on and off until mid-autumn.
Despite all of their attributes, the gardening cognoscenti once overlooked geums. They have risen steadily in popularity over the past decade thanks to the introduction of many striking newcomers. Their status at the top table was in evidence last week, when several leading designers used geums in their Chelsea Flower Show gardens.
Wild geums can be found on every continent apart from Antarctica. Two species are indigenous to Britain: Geum rivale, with its dusky pink, bell-shaped flowers, and G. urbanum, a species with small yellow flowers that grows in woodlands and hedgerows.
Geum urbanum also goes by the common name herb benedict, a reminder of its past as a medicinal plant. The Romans used to make concoctions from its roots to protect themselves against evil spirits, while modern herbalists still prescribe it for a range of ailments.
Of the 50 or so wild species, there are three that have given us the bulk of garden-worthy plants. Geum coccineum, from the Balkans, is the parent of many fine varieties, while the progeny of our own native Geum rivale includes G. ‘Bell Bank’, raised by the TV gardener Geoffrey Smith in the 1980s.
Perhaps the most important of all is Geum chiloense, a species with large, scarlet flowers that was discovered on Chiloe Island, off the coast of Chile. Its most famous offshoot is undoubtedly Geum ‘Mrs J. Bradshaw’, whose semi-double scarlet flowers appear on 2ft-tall stems from May until August. This famous plant was discovered by keen gardener John Bradshaw, who named it in honour of his wife. It has held the RHS award of garden merit since 1909.
Today, close to 300 varieties of geum are available in Britain. For my money, the best is ‘Totally Tangerine’ – its soft orange flowers are carried on 3ft-tall stalks from April until November. It was launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2010, where it was named plant of the year. Shorter geums are perfect for adding a splash of colour at the front of beds. While they prefer moisture-retentive ground, they aren’t fussy about the type of soil – they’ll even do well in heavy clay if it’s been well cultivated. As a rule, it’s best to prepare the site prior to planting by digging in plenty of horticultural grit and garden compost to improve drainage. It’s important to choose the right geum for a specific aspect as they do have different light requirements. Due to its woodland background, cultivars of Geum rivale are suitable for shade, while those of G. coccineum are best in partial shade. If you’re looking for sun-lovers, go for varieties of G. chiloense. Over time, geums form large clumps that perform poorly, so keep plants in good condition by dividing every three to four years. Lift in spring or autumn, discard the dead parts in the centre of the clump, and split the healthy plants around the outside into several smaller pieces. Replant and water.