Geum 'Blazing Sunset'

Geum 'Blazing Sunset': Scarlet Doubles That Strike Like a Match

'Blazing Sunset' flowers look like somebody crumpled scarlet tissue paper and set it on fire. Fully double, held up on slim stems, dancing above the leaves. YOUR PATIO JUST GOT A HAPPY HOUR.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Geum chiloense (syn. G. quellyon) 'Blazing Sunset'
• Common Name: Avens
• Height: 55–60 cm (22–24 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Fully double, scarlet red, held on slender, branching stems
• Bloom Time: Late spring to midsummer (May to July)
• Foliage: Hairy, lobed green leaves in a low, semi-evergreen clump
• Features: Good cut flower

Where to Plant: Plant it near the front or middle of a sunny border, where the airy stems can float above lower plants. It's a good choice for cut-flower gardens and works as a filler in large containers.

Companion Plants: Give 'Blazing Sunset' a sunny or part-shade bed with white lilies, ivory peonies and a small gold daylily. Hemerocallis 'Mini Stella' edges the front with small yellow daylilies at 20 to 25 cm from July to September. Paeonia 'Top Brass' opens ivory and canary bomb peonies at 80 cm in May and June. Lilium 'Casa Blanca' adds fragrant white lilies at 90 to 120 cm in July and August. Miscanthus Mystal™ 'Fire Dragon' rises behind at 180 to 210 cm in bloom, turning fiery red in fall.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun to part sun, in moist but well-drained soil. Wet winter soil is the main danger, so avoid low spots and heavy clay that stays soggy. Deadhead spent flowers to keep new ones coming. Water during dry spells, especially in its first year. Avens flowers best when young. Lift and divide the clump every two or three years in spring or early fall to keep it vigorous. Remove tired leaves in spring.

History: Avens in this group come from Geum chiloense, also called G. quellyon, a species native to central Chile. 'Blazing Sunset' is a seed-raised double form chosen for its extra-large, bright scarlet blooms.

Final Thoughts: Cut a handful for the table and there's still plenty left blazing outside. The deer leave it alone. THE SUN SETS. THIS DOESN'T.