Glowing Through the Gloom: Why I Love Geums
Some plants shout. Others whisper. But geums? They glow.
Not in a flashy, look-at-me kind of way — but in that steady, generous way that lifts the whole garden without trying to steal the show. They catch the light on a grey day. They hum quietly in a breeze. They stitch borders together without dominating. And right now, as the garden pivots from the last of the tulips toward the high notes of summer, the geums are quietly stealing the scene.
Their colours range from soft apricots and peachy pinks to burnt oranges and deep, rich reds — all carried on those lovely wiry stems that dance, nod, and hold their heads just high enough to be noticed. They’re not just beautiful. They’re dependable.
I’ve seen them flower through sudden cold snaps and torrential downpours, each bloom a little lantern of resilience.
Why Geums Deserve a Place in Every Garden
If you’re after something that quietly keeps giving, here’s why geums should be on your list:
Long flowering season: Many varieties keep going for weeks — even months — especially with regular deadheading.
Pollinator-friendly: Loved by bees and early butterflies, they offer a rich nectar source in that in-between season.
Clay tolerant: They cope admirably in heavier soils once established.
Compact and non-invasive: Neat, tidy, and unlikely to swamp neighbours.
Superb companions: They pair beautifully with catmint, salvia, astrantia, alchemilla, and more.
They’re the kind of plant that fits in wherever you need a little lift — at the front of a bed, tucked into a container, or stitched through a naturalistic scheme.
Favourite Varieties — and Why They Stand Out
Every gardener ends up with a favourite geum. Or two. Or five. Here are some of mine:
Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ — A tall, sterile variety that just doesn’t quit. Apricot-orange flowers and masses of them.
Geum ‘Mrs Bradshaw’ — Cottage garden royalty. Bright crimson and cheerfully old-fashioned.
Geum ‘Mai Tai’ — Soft peachy-gold tones with a romantic, dusky edge. Less bold, more blush.
Geum ‘Leonard’s Variety’ — Vivid orange with scarlet veins — slightly wilder looking, and I love it for that.
Geum rivale (Water Avens) — A native wildflower with nodding, dusky-pink bells. Ideal for damper soil and part shade.
Caring for Geums — Easy and Rewarding
One of the great joys of geums is how little they ask.
Plant in spring or autumn in moist, well-drained soil
Water well in the first season to establish
Deadhead regularly — they respond incredibly well
Divide every few years in early spring to rejuvenate
Mulch annually, especially on clay, to retain moisture and suppress weeds
And yes — some will cope in light shade, especially the wild types like G. rivale. But they really sing when they’ve got a bit of sunshine to stretch into.
Final Thoughts: The Kind of Plant That Feels Like a Friendly Smile
There are plants that take centre stage. And then there are those that lift the stage itself — making everything else around them look better, brighter, more alive. Geums do that.
They’re not complicated. They’re not trendy. But they’re steady, generous, and quietly joyful — the kind of presence you come to rely on.
Are you growing geums this year? Do you have a go-to variety — or a happy accident that became a favourite? Share your story or a photo in the comments of this Facebook post.
Happy Gardening.
— Marcus