Avens (Geum 'Cherry Cordial')
Geum 'Cherry Cordial' Avens offers vibrant red blooms from May to June, thriving in zones 5-7 with low maintenance.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ is a striking herbaceous perennial valued for its rich, fiery red flowers that emerge in late spring, providing substantial early-season color. This variety of Avens forms a neat, basal mound of attractive foliage, making it an excellent addition to structured garden beds even when not in bloom. It offers gardeners a reliable burst of color paired with generally low maintenance requirements.
This clump-forming perennial typically sends up wiry stems topped with five-petaled blooms in May and June. While the primary display is short, prompt deadheading can encourage sporadic reblooming throughout the summer, especially in cooler northern climates. Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ is botanically interesting and aesthetically valuable, showcasing characteristics distinct within the Rosaceae family.
Gardeners should note its preference for consistent moisture, but also its intolerance for wet winter soils, which can be fatal. Although classified as low maintenance, understanding the specific needs of Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ regarding summer heat and moisture management ensures its best performance. It reliably offers visual appeal, serving well as an edging plant or a component in mixed perennial groupings.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-7
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 0.5-0.75 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Avens in the spring once the danger of hard frost has passed, selecting a location offering full sun or bright part shade. Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ thrives best in medium moisture, well-drained soils that are fertile. Avoid dense, heavy clay if possible, especially in climates that experience wet winters, as saturated roots are detrimental.
Water requirements are medium; aim for consistent moisture, ensuring the soil never dries out completely during active growth stages or hot spells. Fertilization is often unnecessary if the soil is initially fertile, but a light annual application of compost in spring benefits vigor. The most important cultural task is removing spent flowers to encourage rebloom, though leaving some seed heads allows the attractive fluffy stage to develop later in the season.
In regions toward the southern edge of its range (Zone 7), afternoon shade is highly recommended to mitigate stress from hot, humid summers where the plants may struggle. In these areas, ensure excellent air circulation around the foliage mound. In contrast, the foliage of Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ remains evergreen in the mildest southern climates, offering year-round interest. Divide plants promptly in the spring if the center of the clump begins to look crowded or vigor noticeably declines.
Landscape Uses
The neat, semi-mounding habit and vibrant red flowers make Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ perfectly suited for mass planting in borders, where it can provide a strong mid-ground color punch. It is also an excellent choice for rock gardens where good drainage is naturally provided, showcasing the basal foliage mound effectively. Furthermore, the texture and size of this Avens make it an attractive ground cover candidate for areas needing low-growing, non-aggressive screening after the main flush of bloom ends.
Consider planting Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ alongside plants that share similar sun and water needs, such as hardy Geraniums or shorter Salvias, to create a cohesive planting scheme. The strong red tone pairs beautifully with soft blues and silvers, offering excellent contrast in cottage garden settings. Its compact stature ensures it won’t overwhelm smaller neighboring plants, allowing them to shine once the primary bloom period concludes.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Geum is a genus of about 50 species from North and South America, Asia, New Zealand and Africa. The genus name is the classical Latin name of the group. ‘Cherry Cordial’ is a clump-forming perennial that typically forms a basal foliage mount (to 6” high) of irregularly-lobed, hairy, 5-7 foliolate, medium green leaves. In late spring, erect, wiry stems rise above the foliage mound, carrying cymes of 5-petaled red flowers; the flowers are ultimately followed by fluffy seed heads. Prompt deadheading encourages sporadic rebloom throughout the summer, especially where summers are cool.
Tolerances
- Foliage is evergreen in southern climates
Potential Problems
Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ generally resists serious insect or disease issues, which contributes to its low maintenance status. The most significant concerns relate to undesirable growing conditions rather than pests. Plants may exhibit reduced longevity, becoming short-lived, particularly when established in heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture over winter. Furthermore, extended periods of hot, humid summer weather, especially south of its optimal growing zones, can stress the plants, leading to reduced performance or early decline in the clump. Proper site selection focusing on sharp drainage is the best preventative measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Avens suitable for?
Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 7.
How large does Avens grow?
This perennial typically reaches a mature height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, with a spread of 0.5 to 0.75 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ need?
It prefers locations receiving full sun to light part shade. Providing some afternoon shade is beneficial in the hottest summer climates.
When does Avens bloom?
The primary bloom time for Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ is May to June, displaying striking red flowers.
Conclusion
The vibrant red display produced by Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ offers excellent reliable color for borders and rock gardens starting in late spring. This attractive Avens variety is valued for its low maintenance needs and appealing evergreen foliage during milder winters. Before planting, ensure your site offers the sharp drainage necessary for long-term success with Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’.
Propagation Tips
Division is the key method for maintaining the vigor of established clumps of Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’. Perform this task in early spring as new growth begins to emerge. Gently lift the entire clump using a garden fork or spade, taking caution not to damage the root system extensively. Once lifted, carefully separate the crown into smaller sections, ensuring each division has a healthy portion of roots and foliage attached. Replant the newly divided sections immediately into well-amended soil at the same depth they previously grew.
Allowing some flowers to mature and form fluffy seed heads presents another propagation option, although seedlings may not perfectly replicate the desired traits of the parent cultivar. If you choose to save seeds from Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’, sow them in a cold frame or indoors under sterile conditions early in the season. Transplant the young seedlings out to their garden location once they are robust enough to handle the outdoor environment and after all frost risk has passed.
Companion Planting
The cultural needs of Avens—medium moisture, good drainage, and preference for some high afternoon shade in hot regions—make it an excellent companion for mid-sized shade or partial shade lovers. Consider pairing the bright red blooms of Geum ‘Cherry Cordial’ with the blue or purple foliage of Hostas or the fine textures of Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa). Additionally, low-growing Heuchera varieties offer contrasting leaf colors and similar moisture requirements, creating rich tapestry effects throughout the growing season. This grouping helps buffer the heat exposure that can sometimes limit the size and bloom duration of the Geum.
