Common Name: avens
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: April to June
Bloom Description: Orange
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer
Culture
Grow in medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, fertile soils. Remove spent flowers to encourage additional bloom, but consider leaving some of the later flowers so that the fluffy seed heads can form. Plants tend to struggle in the summer with the heat and humidity of the deep South (particularly south of USDA Zone 7). Some afternoon shade is best in hot climates such as St. Louis. Wet, poorly drained soils in winter can be fatal. Divide plants in spring as needed to maintain vigor. Foliage is evergreen in southern climates.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Geum is a genus of about 50 species from North and South America, Asia, New Zealand and Africa.
Genus name is the classical Latin name of the group.
'Fire Storm' was discovered by Harini Korlipara of Terra Nova Nurseries growing as a whole plant mutation in a greenhouse in Canby, Oregon. It is a dwarf, more compact and upright form of Geum 'Fireball' with lobed leaves on wiry stems. Its large, double flowers are orange with scarlet towards the petal edges and mature to slightly yellower orange. They will bloom in April to June with sporadic rebloom through September. Evergreen in mild winter regions, it is a sterile plant that will not produce fruit or seeds. 'Fire Storm' grows 1 to 1 1/2 ft. tall and wide. United States Plant Patent PP#23,179 awarded November 13, 2012.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. May be short-lived in heavy clay soils and/or hot summer climates.
Uses
Mass in borders or rock gardens. Foliage makes an attractive ground cover after bloom.