Geum chiloense Lady Stratheden seeds - Geum chiloense Mrs Bradshaw seeds - Chilean Avens

Hybrid Avens, or Geum chiloense 'Lady Stratheden', is a perennial perfect for brightening up gardens from May to July. Its striking flowering, characterised by semi-double flowers in a bright yellow surrounding a core of green stamens, evokes the timeless charm of cottage gardens. It forms a bushy clump with semi-evergreen light green foliage, bringing brightness and simplicity to borders. Avens, appreciated for their sturdiness and elegance, are finding their place back in our gardens. Easy to grow, hardy, and low-maintenance, they thrive in the sun in a well-drained, moist, and fertile soil.

Geums are herbaceous perennials of the rose family, very hardy, originating from temperate or colder regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. The wild species Geum chiloense, native to Chile, has given rise through cross-breeding to many remarkable hybrids, including 'Lady Stratheden', an old variety with many qualities. This variety forms a bushy clump and bears basal leaves that are erect, semi-evergreen, light green, irregular, and finely velvety, measuring 10 cm long. From May to July on slender, branching stems, gently upright above the foliage, this avens has clusters bearing two to four semi-double cup-shaped, 2 to 4 cm diameter, bright yellow slightly translucent flowers with hints of golden yellow, enhanced by a large prominent green stamen centre. This variety reaches about 50 cm in all directions. Like many long-flowering perennials, this Avens is not very long-lived, so it is advisable to divide it every two to three years to keep it in the garden for a long time.

Hardy and very floriferous avens is an easy-going, charming perennial, ideal for simplicity and sturdiness in the garden. It thrives in sunny or semi-shaded locations and adapts to ordinary, moist, but well-drained soil. The 'Lady Stratheden' variety, with its bright yellow flowers, finds its place as a border plant, in flower beds, mixed borders, rockeries, or even in containers. Its elegant and luminous flower stalks are perfect for creating beautiful bouquets. To allow for good development, leave clear space around its base. It pairs well with other spring and summer flowering perennials. In semi-shade, combine it with lady's mantle, spurges, or grasses for a soft and harmonious composition. In the sun, it pairs perfectly with daylilies, Yarrows, Montpellier Soapwort (Saponaria ocymoides), black-eyed Susans, scabious, wallflowers, or perennial geraniums. Mixing several avens varieties creates superb colour schemes that illuminate borders throughout the growing season.