Geum, Genus, rivale, Species,
- Genus & species
water avens
Overview
Geum rivale is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the rose family, growing 8–24 inches (20–60 cm) tall from a short rhizome. The basal leaves are pinnate with a large rounded terminal lobe, forming a low rosette, while the few stem leaves are smaller and three-lobed. From April to July it bears nodding, bell-shaped flowers on dark, hairy stalks, each about 0.6–1 inch (15–25 mm) long with dusky pink to orange petals held in a purplish-brown calyx. The flowers are followed by rounded heads of feathery, hook-tipped seeds that catch on fur and clothing. The plant grows in wet ground and spreads slowly into small patches. It hybridises freely with wood avens Geum urbanum where the two grow together, producing intermediate forms. It grows in damp meadows, marshes, wet woodland, stream sides, and shaded ditches on neutral to alkaline soils. The clump stays as a low rosette through winter.
Native Range
Native to Europe, western and northern Asia, and North America, with a broad circumboreal range. It grows in wet meadows, marshes, fens, wet woodland, and along streams and ditches, usually on neutral to base-rich soils.Suggested Uses
Used in bog gardens, pond and stream margins, damp borders, and rain gardens. Suited to wet, shaded spots where many border plants fail. Grown in wildlife and cottage-style plantings for its nodding spring flowers and as an early nectar source for bees.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
dusky pink to orange with maroon calyxFoliage Description
mid greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade on moist to wet, fertile soils with a pH of 6.0–7.5, including heavy clay and boggy ground. Consistent moisture is needed, and the plant wilts and browns in dry soil. No special feeding is required in fertile ground. Clumps are divided in spring or autumn to renew growth and increase stock. Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. It self-seeds modestly and hybridises with nearby Geum species, so seedlings may not come true.Pruning
Spent flower stalks are cut back after bloom to tidy the clump and limit self-seeding. The old foliage is trimmed in late autumn, leaving the basal rosette. Division every few years in spring keeps the clump growing strongly.Pruning Schedule
Prune: July & October
summerfall
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons
