Geum montanum
Alpine avens
Also known as Geum alpinum
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes a spreading clump of lyre shaped leaves. They have rounded, toothy edged, lobes with a slightly crinkled surface and impressed veining. The leaves are rough to the touch. This flowers for several weeks from early spring. Plum coloured stems hold small, cupped, flowers coming from rather flat, spiky edged, calyxes and an intense, golden-yellow. The flowers look up boldly to the sky. This makes excellent ground cover. Give it humus rich soil that is well drained, and a sunny position. This reaches around 15cm (6in) height with 30cm (12in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.