Geum

Around 40 different species of generally low-growing perennials, with irregular pinnate leaves and 5-petalled flowers, some saucer-shaped, others more demurely pendent. The colourful, showy forms like G. 'Borisii', G. 'Nordek' will thrive in a sunny border. Forms derived from our native G. rivale (water avens), will take a shadier spot and will prefer more moisture.

Almost all geums have a huge attraction to pollinators, which are predominantly bees, although doubled forms as always have a lower attraction as pollen and nectar provision is reduced in comparison with the wild types and similar forms. The leaves are the food plant for a number of moths, and if you are very lucky, grizzled skipper butterfly.