Geum montanum, commonly known as Alpine avens, is a perennial herb native to alpine and subalpine zones in central and southern Europe, including the Alps, Pyrenees, Cantabrians, Massif Central, Black Forest, Sudetes, Carpathians, Apennines, Corsica, and the Balkans. It thrives in rocky, well-drained soils and is often found in meadows, rocky slopes, and scree at elevations of 4,690 to 7,545 feet, though it can occur as low as 2,297 feet and as high as 11,483 feet. Alpine avens typically forms low-growing clumps up to 12 inches tall, with pinnate leaves and cup-shaped, bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy when the plant is grown in mass.

Alpine avens is valued for its hardiness and ability to thrive in challenging mountainous conditions, making it a suitable choice for rock gardens, alpine collections, and as ground cover in areas with cool summers. It requires minimal maintenance once established, preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. While it is not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils. Alpine avens has also been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its exceptional performance in gardens. In addition to its ornamental use, it has a history of medicinal use in traditional Austrian medicine for treating rheumatism, gout, infections, and fever.CC BY-SA 4.0