Geum chiloense Mrs Bradshaw

Geum chiloense 'Mrs Bradshaw' is a very floriferous, robust and carefree variety of Avens. It displays its beautiful double flowers, delicate with a magnificent bright red, from May to August, on long, well-branched stems above a beautiful rosette of bright green foliage. These pretty, wild-looking flowers are delicate and absolutely charming, and will brighten up borders with their dazzling scarlet touches!

Geum chiloense is a herbaceous perennial from Chile, native to Chiloe Island and belongs to the rose family. 'Mrs Bradshaw' is a hybrid forming a basal rosette of semi-evergreen, deep green, pinnate and slightly hairy leaves, measuring 20 cm (8in) long. From May to August, this Avens bears, on thin, branched stems, upright above the foliage, terminal panicles of cup-shaped, globular, semi-double flowers, scarlet red, enhanced by a large heart of yellow stamens, measuring 5 cm (2in) in diameter. This cultivar reaches 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) in height when in flower, with a spread of 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in). Like many perennials with long flowering periods, 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.

This cultivar originated in England in the last century. John and Kathleen Bradshaw lived in North London, at The Grove. John Bradshaw, a gardening enthusiast, had become friends with Amos Perry, a nurseryman in Enfield. In the early 1900s, Amos Perry received some Geum plants from John Bradshaw's gardener, among which was an unknown Avens. The nurseryman then named it after his friend's wife, Mrs J. Bradshaw. This cultivar won an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1909.

Hardy and very floriferous, the Avens is an easy and very accommodating plant, to be planted in a sunny or semi-shaded position, in ordinary, moist but well-drained soil. To fully enjoy its magnificent flowering, this splendid variety, 'Mrs Bradshaw', will be ideally placed at the edge of borders, flower beds, mixed borders, in rockeries or even in pots. Its flower spikes will make magnificent bouquets. Requiring some space to develop well, it is important to leave enough clear space around its base. It will blend beautifully with other spring and summer-flowering perennials. In partial shade, it will partner well with Ferns, Alchemillas, Euphorbias, and Grasses. By mixing several varieties of Avens together, sublime color harmonies can be created! In full sun, it will perfectly complement Dahlias, Penstemons, Lobelias, Shrubby Wallflowers, and Hardy Geraniums.