Geum Lady Stratheden

Description

Geum ‘Lady Stratheden’ – avens

Botanical name: Geum chiloense ‘Lady Stratheden’
Common names: Avens
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, with airy flower stems
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 50–60cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Neat basal clumps of soft, rounded, hairy green leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Sprays of semi-double, warm golden-yellow flowers on slender wiry stems over a long season from late spring into summer (May–August)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; dislikes drying out or waterlogging; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–8
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native across the northern hemisphere
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Geum ‘Lady Stratheden’ is a classic avens with semi-double, warm golden-yellow flowers on airy stems over a long season. Cheerful, easy and much loved, it lights up the front of cottage borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A cheerful, long-flowering cottage-garden perennial, geum (avens) carries its bright, warm-coloured flowers on slender, wiry, branching stems that dance above neat basal clumps of soft green foliage. Blooming generously for weeks from late spring, and often repeating if deadheaded, it brings a relaxed, informal charm to the front and middle of a border, and its open flowers are excellent for bees.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade — it likes reliable moisture but resents waterlogging. Ideal for the front to middle of cottage and mixed borders. Space about 40cm apart. Water well while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead regularly to prolong the long flowering season and encourage repeat blooms. Cut back tatty foliage and old flower stems, and tidy in spring. Crucially, geums tire and die out in the centre after a few years, so lift and divide the clump every two to three years in spring to keep it young, vigorous and free-flowering.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Its main trait is tiring and going hollow in the centre after a few years if not divided. Sawfly and leaf problems occasionally occur, and it dislikes drying out. Otherwise easy and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Superb at the front to middle of mixed, cottage and wildlife borders, where its long season of warm, glowing flowers on airy stems brings colour and a relaxed, informal feel; the flowers are good for cutting.

Wildlife value

The open flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects over a long season.

Toxicity & safety

Avens is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Lady Stratheden’ is a much-loved old favourite — semi-double, warm golden-yellow flowers dancing on wiry stems for weeks from late spring, bringing sunshine to the front of a cottage border. It’s the classic partner for the scarlet ‘Mrs J. Bradshaw’. Keep deadheading for a long display, and remember geums tire after a few years, so lift and divide the clump every couple of springs.

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