Description

Geum canadense is an attractive wildflower of the Rose family. The 1/2" white flowers are comprised of 5 petals interspaced with 5 pale green sepals. They are usually terminal, though some might develop from the upper leaf axils. The flower bearing stems are erect, rough to the touch, often branched, and 2' to 3' tall. The basal rosette consists of semi-evergreen compound leaves that are divided into 5 to 7 leaflets. As the leaves move up the stem, they divide into 3 leaflets, and then become simple towards the top. They are coarse in texture, deeply lobed, and serrated.

Cultivation

White avens is easy to grow, particularly under filtered light. It is adapted various soils that are moist, or even on the dry side. This versatility, as well as its ability to spread by rhizomes, make it an excellent choice to establish a charming ground cover in disturbed transitional areas, or woodland gardens. It can also be grown with more sun, in rich, moist soil, but can become aggressive if the conditions are too favorable. It blooms during summer, for a period of up to 2 months. Both cold hardy, and heat tolerant. Zones 3-9

Propagation

Mature plants are difficult to transplant, due to their taproot. However, the vegetative offsprings developed from the rhizomes, can be separated in early spring, or fall. Easy to propagate from seed.

Additional Notes

This is a charming, low maintenance, woodland wildflower, that is underutilized yet worthy of more attention.