| Growth Rate |
- Speed: Moderate grower, reaching maturity in one to two growing seasons.
- Mature Growth: Reaches 12-18 inches tall and 12-18 inches wide, forming a neat, compact mound.
|
|---|
| Colorful Leaves |
No
|
|---|
| Flowering |
Yes
|
|---|
| Bloom Color |
Orange
|
|---|
| Ornamental Berries |
N/A |
|---|
| Disease resistant |
Yes
|
|---|
| Cold Tolerant |
Yes
|
|---|
| Heat Tolerant |
Yes
|
|---|
| Drought Tolerant |
No
|
|---|
| Deer Resistant |
Yes
|
|---|
| Edible |
No
|
|---|
| Wildlife Attraction |
- Attracts: Bees and butterflies are drawn to the brightly colored flowers, making it an excellent pollinator-friendly choice.
- Wildlife Resistant: Deer and rabbits usually avoid Geum, making it ideal for gardens with wildlife challenges.
|
|---|
| Self-pollinating |
Self-pollinating
|
|---|
| Seasonality |
- Foliage Season: Spring to fall, with lush green leaves.
- Flowering Season: Late spring to early summer (May to June), with occasional reblooming in late summer.
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
|
|---|
| Ideal For |
- Borders and edging
- Rock gardens
- Pollinator gardens
- Containers
- Cottage gardens
|
|---|
| Leaf Description |
- Color: Bright green.
- Form: Basal, deeply lobed leaves that are toothed and slightly hairy, forming a neat mound.
- Fall Color: Leaves typically remain green until frost.
|
|---|
| Flower Description |
- Color: Bright, pumpkin-orange flowers with a slightly ruffled appearance.
- Form: Cup-shaped flowers about 1.5 inches across, with five petals surrounding a cluster of yellow stamens.
- Bloom Time: Blooms from late spring to early summer, with possible reblooming in cool summer climates.
- Fragrance: Not fragrant, but visually striking.
|
|---|
| Pruning & Maintenance |
- Timing: Deadhead spent flowers throughout the blooming season to encourage continued flowering.
- Method: Cut back flower stems after blooming to promote fresh growth. Trim the entire plant back to the basal foliage in late fall or early spring to maintain a tidy appearance.
|
|---|
| Water Needs |
- Watering Frequency: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. After that, Geum can tolerate short dry spells but prefers consistent moisture.
- Soil Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially in hot, dry conditions. Avoid waterlogged soil, as this can lead to root rot.
|
|---|
| Light Needs |
Prefers full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent wilting and promote longer blooming. |
|---|
| Harvesting |
– Best time to harvest: Morning, just as flowers begin to fully open
– Cutting tips: Use sharp, clean snips; harvest long stems with buds for extended vase life
– Vase life: Typically 5–7 days if conditioned properly
– Post-harvest care: Strip lower leaves and place stems in cool water immediately
– Repeat harvesting: Encourages continued blooming and neat appearance |
|---|
| Fertilizing |
- Fertilization Time: Apply fertilizer in early spring and again after the first flush of blooms.
- Fertilizer Type: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost to boost growth and blooming. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
|
|---|
| Additional Care Tips |
- Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Drought Tolerance: While somewhat drought-tolerant once established, Geum prefers regular watering in dry periods to keep the plant lush and flowering.
- Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-free, but watch for aphids or powdery mildew in overly wet conditions. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
|
|---|
| Pollination |
- Pollination Type: Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and other insects.
- Seed Production: If deadheading is not done, the plant may produce seeds that can self-sow, though it is not highly invasive.
|
|---|
| Companion Plants |
Geum 'Pumpkin Orange' is a compact perennial with vivid orange blooms in late spring to early summer. It pairs best with plants that enjoy full sun to part shade and moderately moist, well-drained soil. – Salvia nemorosa – Spiky purple-blue blooms contrast beautifully with the warm orange flowers
– Nepeta (Catmint) – Silvery foliage and lavender-blue flowers provide a soft background
– Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' or 'Moonbeam' – Airy yellow daisy-like flowers pair well with Geum’s saturated tones
– Geranium ‘Rozanne’ or sanguineum – Mounding habit and violet-blue flowers fill in spaces around Geum
– Heuchera (Coral Bells) – Adds colorful foliage contrast at the base
– Aquilegia (Columbine) – Early-season bloom overlap and soft flower forms complement Geum
– Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle) – Chartreuse flowers and scalloped foliage contrast beautifully with orange blooms
– Dianthus (Pinks) – Neat clumps with pink or red blooms and gray-green foliage work well in sunny borders
– Iberis sempervirens (Candytuft) – White, low-growing spring bloomer that offsets Geum’s fiery flowers
– Ornamental grasses (e.g., Festuca glauca) – Cool-toned grasses create texture and color contrast |
|---|
