How To Grow Geums To Encourage Widlife

Geum: A Garden Flower with a Wildlife Edge

Geum is a genus of flowering plants in the Rosaceae family, commonly known as avens.  They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, and there are over 100 species.  Geum are easy-to-grow perennials (lives more than two years) that produce showy flowers in a range of colours, from yellow and orange to red and purple.  In addition to their beauty, geum are also beneficial to wildlife.

Benefits of Geum to Wildlife

• Food source for pollinators: Geum flowers are a rich source of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.  These insects play a vital role in the pollination of our crops and wild plants.
• Habitat for small animals: Geum plants provide shelter and nesting sites for small animals such as mice, voles, and shrews.  These animals play an important role in the food chain and help to control insect populations.
• Erosion control: Geum plants help to stabilise soil and prevent erosion.  This is especially important in areas with sloping or web soils.

Geum Varieties for the English Climate

There are many different varieties of geum that are suitable for growing in the English climate.  Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Geum chiloense: This species produces bright yellow flowers in the spring
• Geum rivale: This species produces purple flowers in the summer.
• Geum coccineum: This species produces red flowers in the summer.
• Geum montanum: This species produces white flowers in the summer.

Growing Geum in the English Climate

Geum are easy-to-grow plants that thrive in full sun or partial shade.  They prefer moist, well-drained soil.  Geum can be propagated by division or seed.

How to Attract Wildlife to Your Garden with Geum

There are a few things you can do to attract wildlife to your geum garden:

• Plant a variety of geum: This will provide a food source for pollinators throughout the growing season.  Geum 'Firefinch' is known for attracting bees and pollinators with is pollen/nectar rich flowers.
• Group geum plants together: This will make them more attractive to pollinators.
• Avoid pesticides: Pesticides can harm pollinators.
• Provide nesting sites: Small animals will appreciate having places to nest in your garden.

Geum are a beautiful and beneficial addition to any English garden.  They provide food and habitat for wildlife, and they also help to control erosion.  With a little care, you can enjoy the beauty of geum flowers and attract a variety of wildlife to your garden.

Geums: A Guide to Growing These Beautiful Flowers

Geums are cheerful and easy-to-grow perennials that can add a splash of colour to your garden from late spring to early autumn.  They come in a variety of colours, including yellow, orange, and red, and their blooms are often cup-shaped or star-shaped.  Geums are also relatively low-maintenance, making them a great choice for gardeners of all levels.

Where to Plant Geums

Geums prefer moist but well-drained soil in sun to partial shade.  They're not too fussy about soil pH, but they won't appreciate very dry or wet conditons, and if your garden becomes very hot in summer, it's best to plant your geums in a spot that gets a bit of afternoon shade.

In the UK, geum rivale types do best in a shady spot and are ideal partners for hellebores.  Geum chiloense types can cope with more sunshine, but their semi-evergreen foliage is easily scorched in hot weather.

Planting Your Geums

To plant geums, dig a hole that's twice the width of the plant's root ball and just deep enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.  Backfill the hole with soil and water well.

Geums are generally easy to grow from seed, although they can also be propagated by division.  To divide geums, simply dig up the clump and divide it into smaller sections.  Replant the divisions immediately.

Caring for Your Geums

Geums are relatively low-maintenance plants.  They'll need to be watered regularly during dry weather, and they'll appreciate a light application of fertiliser in the spring.  You should also deadhead the plants after they've finished flowering to encourage them to create more flowers.

Geums are generally trouble-free plants, but they can be susceptible to vine weevil in containers.  Vine weevil larvae eat the roots of plants, which can cause them to die.  If you notice any signs of vine weevil damage, you can treat the plants with nematodes.

Dividing Your Geums

Every three years, you'll need to divide your geums to keep them healthy and vigorous.  To divide geums, simply dig up the clump and divide it into smaller sections.  Replant the divisions immediately.  This is best done in Spring or Autumn.

Geums are beautiful and easy-to-grow perennials that make a great addition to any garden.  With a little care, you can enjoy the blooms of your geums for years to come.

Here are some more articles about gardening:

• A list of wildflowers and their preferred soil type
• Sowing and growing wildflowers