Geum 'ORANGE PUMPKIN' avens

Geum

The genus Geum, avens, comprises roughly fifty to sixty species of perennial herbs in the rose family, distributed across the temperate zones of Europe, Asia, North and South America, and New Zealand. A typical feature is a basal rosette of leaves from which slender stems arise, bearing cup‑shaped flowers in colours ranging from white and yellow to red‑orange. The genus was described by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778), and its taxonomy has since undergone numerous adjustments and synonymisations, which explains the differing names found in historical literature. Geum is cytologically and genetically diverse – varying chromosome numbers, frequent polyploid groups and a strong capacity for interspecific hybridisation give breeders wide scope to combine flower colour, form and resilience. Avens has long attracted the attention of notable European growers and collectors, specifically Georg Arends (1863–1952) and Alan Bloom (1906–2005) who not only cultivated them in their gardens but also actively promoted them, and their work influenced which forms became established in gardens and which later formed the basis of modern hybrids.

The avens family consists mostly of very hardy and reliable perennials, so it is no surprise that they have become popular material for modern breeding. Today, breeders work with wild populations and collections according to the traits desired in the resulting hybrid: mountain and alpine populations (G. coccineum, G. montanum, G. reptans) contribute compact growth, a firm leaf rosette and resistance to drought and cold; populations from wetter habitats (G. rivale) bring tolerance of waterlogging, heavier soils and often a longer flowering period; South American species (G. chiloense) are sources of rich orange and red tones and large flowers; and some Asian populations (e.g. G. japonicum) add early flowering, softer shades and the ability to grow in partial shade.

Among today’s figures who enrich, collect and popularise the genus is the extensive collection of Armand Kremer of the German nursery Green‑Globe, comprising around 140–160 taxa and varieties. Kremer’s work is valuable not only for its breadth but also because it maintains a living gene pool from which new selections may arise. He also collaborates with Sue Martin, holder of the British National Collection of Geum at Brickwall Cottages (Frittenden, Kent), who carefully documents more than one hundred cultivars and monitors their condition, phenology and behaviour in different parts of the garden each year. Her collection is registered with Plant Heritage and is among the best‑documented Geum collections in Europe. Alongside these two major names stand smaller collectors, breeders and enthusiastic perennial growers such as Tim Crowther (Walberton Nursery), author of cultivars such as ‘Totally Tangerine’, Roger Proud (East of Eden Nursery), who introduced selections like ‘Tales of Hex’, or the Dutch grower Coen Jansen, whose cultivar ‘Mai Tai’ has travelled the world and become one of the most successful modern hybrids.