Plant of the Month for November 2015

Geum reptans

Description and General Information:

Geum reptans grows on alpine screes and moraines at elevations of 2300-3800 m.  It is distributed among the Alps, Balkans and Carpathian mountains. In the wild it is usually confined to acidic rock.

Plants have a matted growth habit as they reproduce by producing red, strawberry-like stolons.  Its rosette leaves, which reach to 15 cm in length, are pinnate with round, serrated leaflets.  Solitary 3-5 cm diameter yellow flowers are produced on short stems 10-25 cm high.  These later develop into attractive seedheads, reminiscent of a small Pulsatilla.

Cultivation:

Full sun and well-drained site.  They prefer acidic soil over alkaline. Considered hardy from zone 4-8.

Blooming Period:

April in warmer regions to June in cooler.  In the wild, July and August are the main blooming season.

Propagation:

Seeds, stolons

Seed:

Direct sow at 20 C; germination should occur within a few weeks.

Division:

Not commonly practiced as plants are more easily raised from seed or from stolons.

Cuttings:

It is propagated not so much from cuttings as from stolons.  Plants often produce stolons that end in a new plantlet.  Once rooted, these plantlets may be moved to a new location.

Plant Details Page