Geum Scarlet Tempest

Description

Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ – avens

Botanical name: Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’
Common names: Avens
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, with airy flower stems
Pot size: 10 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 40–50cm tall × 40cm spread
Foliage: Neat basal clumps of soft, rounded green leaves; semi-evergreen
Flowers: Sprays of semi-double, bright scarlet-orange flowers on wiry stems over a long season from late spring into summer (May–July)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 5–8
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Garden hybrid
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’ is a long-flowering perennial bearing sprays of semi-double, bright scarlet-orange flowers on wiry stems above neat foliage. Cheerful and easy, it lights up borders from late spring into summer.

GardenAdvice notes

A wonderful, long-flowering perennial, ‘Scarlet Tempest’ produces a generous, long-lasting succession of semi-double, glowing scarlet-orange flowers on airy, wiry stems above neat clumps of soft green foliage. Cheerful, easy and reliable, blooming for weeks from late spring, it is superb for bringing warm colour and a cottage-garden feel to the front and middle of a border.

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 not waterlogging. Ideal for the front to middle of borders. Space about 40cm apart. Water well while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead regularly to prolong the long flowering season. Cut back tatty foliage and old flower stems, and tidy in spring. Lift and divide clumps every two to three years in spring to keep them vigorous, as geums can tire. Keep reasonably moist.

Propagation

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

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. It can tire or die out in the centre after a few years if not divided, and sawfly or leaf problems occasionally occur. 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 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

Geums are among the best value perennials for a long display — ‘Scarlet Tempest’ throws up its glowing scarlet-orange flowers for weeks if you keep deadheading. The one thing to remember is that geums tire after a few years, so lift and divide the clump every couple of springs to keep it young, vigorous and free-flowering.

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