Geum 'Macgeu001' SCARLET TEMPEST

Avens is a pretty perennial whose wild forms can be found on every continent except Australia. Scarlet avens comes from the Balkans and is cultivated for its compact growth and extremely long flowering period. As it is one of the hardiest geums it is commonly hybridized with more tender species in order to achieve showy flowers as well as the longest possible flowering season.

Scarlet Tempest is a breathtaking avens variety from Scotland. It produces rich clumps of handsome foliage and sturdy stems with numerous, rich scarlet orange-red flowers already from April until early mid to late July, and then again in late summer. They are semi-double, large (3-5 cm across), and decorated with a crown of yellow stamens. Basal leaves are oak-like, deeply lobed, bright green, and remain evergreen in mild winters. Scarlet Tempest looks especially good in mass plantings where its handsome foliage makes a great base for the numerous scarlet flowers. It was bred by Elizabeth MacGregor, and in 2016 it won the second place as a flower of the year during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Avens is not picky about soil type. It does best in fertile, medium moist but well-drained soil in full sun. A little extra feeding will bring lush foliage but is not necessary for flower production – avens will always flower if grown in full sun. Hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 14-05-2017; 05-05-2019