Water Avens
(Geum rivale)
Water Avens (Geum rivale)
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Meneerke bloem
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Meneerke bloem
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Photo by: Meneerke bloem | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Meneerke bloem | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Geum_rivale_flowers.jpg | Notes: User created page with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Geum rivale, commonly known as Water Avens or Purple Avens, is a deciduous perennial herb native to cool temperate regions, including damp meadows, stream banks, and moist woodlands across North America and Eurasia. It typically grows to a height of 3 feet (0.9 meters) and a width of 0.5-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). Water Avens has pinnate leaves with a rosette at the base and nodding bell-shaped flowers that are usually reddish-purple to brownish with a yellowish-white interior, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are modest in size but are valued for their unique coloration and their ability to attract pollinators.
Water Avens is appreciated for its tolerance of wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, bog gardens, and near water features. It is also suitable for naturalistic plantings and woodland gardens. This plant prefers consistently moist soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, from clay to loam, as long as they are well-drained. It can grow in full sun to part shade, with part shade being ideal in hotter climates to prevent the soil from drying out. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to rust and powdery mildew in humid conditions. Water Avens is not typically invasive but can self-seed in optimal growing conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Water Avens is appreciated for its tolerance of wet conditions and is often used in rain gardens, bog gardens, and near water features. It is also suitable for naturalistic plantings and woodland gardens. This plant prefers consistently moist soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, from clay to loam, as long as they are well-drained. It can grow in full sun to part shade, with part shade being ideal in hotter climates to prevent the soil from drying out. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to rust and powdery mildew in humid conditions. Water Avens is not typically invasive but can self-seed in optimal growing conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.5-1.5 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Orange, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Damp meadows, stream banks, and moist woodlands across North America and Eurasia
Other Names
Common Names: Water Avens , Chocolate Root , Eng-Nellikerod , Bach-Nelkenwurz , Bachnelkenwurz , Ojakellukka , Benoîte Des Ruisseaux , Benoîte Pourpre , Enghumleblom , Knikkend Nagelkruid
Scientific Names: Geum rivale , Anemone decapetala , Geum nutans , Geum pallidum , Geum rafinesqueanum , Anemone dodecaphilla , Bernoullia hybrida , Bernoullia nutans , Bernoullia rivale , Bernoullia rivalis
GBIF Accepted Name: Geum rivale L.