Geum

Geum, the avens, are cheerful, long-blooming perennials that thrive in the well-drained, moderately moist soils of Martha's Vineyard's sunny to partly shaded garden borders, producing semi-double flowers in vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow from May through July in a display that brings welcome warm-toned color to the early-summer island garden. They perform well in the sandy loam soils of perennial borders throughout Edgartown and Vineyard Haven, benefiting from consistent moisture during the island's drier summer periods to sustain their foliar quality and extend their bloom season. The compact, basal rosette form is well-suited to the front of border placements and integrates naturally with other cottage garden companions.

Deer resistance is generally reliable. Estate Care professionals deadhead Geum regularly through the season to maximize bloom duration, divide established clumps every two to three years in early spring, and use them in the front border positions of island garden programs where cheerful, early-season color and moderate scale are both required.