Geum coccineum Feuermeer

Geum coccineum 'Feuermeer' is a beautiful improvement of the orange avens, a lovely European perennial plant perfectly at home in our climates. This German cultivar stands out with its particularly long flowering period, as well as with its wide corollas which are larger than those of the botanical species. Each flower takes the shape of a flattened cup. They bear fringed petals. They take on a particularly bright brick orange colour, floating above a tuft of velvety foliage in a vibrant green. Simple and sturdy, avens used to be found in every flower garden. They are once again making their way into our gardens and patios. Plant them in the sun, in well-drained and fertile soil.

Geum are hardy herbaceous perennials of the Rosaceae family, native to temperate or colder regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. Geum coccineum, also known as the orange avens, is a perennial plant native to Southeast Europe. 'Feuermeer' forms a clump of velvety basal foliage composed of upright, semi-evergreen, bright green, rounded and lobed leaves measuring 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) long. From May to September, it produces cymes bearing two to four cup-shaped flowers, 4cm (2in) in diameter, of a brilliant orange colour. They are slightly translucent, animated by visible veins, and enhanced by a large heart of prominent yellow stamens. The flowers are borne on thin, branching stems, held loosely above the foliage. This variety reaches a height of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) with a width of about 40cm (16in). Like many long-flowering perennials, this avens is not very long-lived, so it is advisable to divide it every three years to be able to keep it in the garden for a long time.

Hardy and very floriferous, it is an easy, accommodating plant for any garden. It appreciates sunny or semi-shaded situations and grows in ordinary, moist but well-drained soil. To fully enjoy its magnificent flowering, plant 'Feuermeer' at the edge of borders, flower beds, mixed borders, in rockeries or even in pots. Its floral spikes will make beautiful bouquets. It is important to leave enough clearance around its base as the plant needs space to grow. It will blend beautifully with other spring and summer flowering perennials. Its orange flowers will contrast perfectly with the blue of delphiniums and veronicas. You can create sublime scenes with vibrant colours by mixing several varieties of avens together. In the sun, it will perfectly complement daylilies, rudbeckias, scabious, bush cloves, and perennial geraniums.