Geum TEMPO™ 'Rose'

Geum TEMPO™ 'Rose': Rose-Pink Blooms Way Ahead of Schedule

Dark stems, dark rose-pink flowers and a whole lot of them. This avens comes in like the slow dance at a wedding, then refuses to give up the floor. THE DJ HAS STOPPED TRYING.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Geum hybrid, cultivar 'TNGEUTR'
• Common Name: Avens
• Series: TEMPO™, from Terra Nova® Nurseries
• Height: 20–53 cm (8–21 in)
• Spread: 30 cm (12 in)
• Flowers: Dark rose-pink on dark stems, produced in large numbers
• Bloom Time: Mid-spring to early summer (April to June)
• Foliage: Green leaves in a tight, clumping mound about 20 cm (8 in) tall
• Features: Early and long blooming, compact, non-floppy habit
• Plant Patent: USPP 31,209

Where to Plant: Plant it at the front of a sunny border, along a path or in containers, where its early flowers can be seen up close. A group of three makes a strong spring patch.

Companion Plants: Pink avens and Lavandula 'SuperBlue' make a soft, cottage-style pair, with blue lavender following from June to August. Helictotrichon 'Sapphire' adds fine blue-grey texture at 60 to 100 cm, a calm backdrop for the rounded avens. Allium atropurpureum sends up purple globes in May and June, right when the avens is in full flower. Keep the whole group in full sun with good drainage.

Plant Care: Plant it in full sun, in moist, loamy, well-drained soil, and give it average water. It shouldn't dry out completely in its first year. Avoid low, wet spots, because avens rot in soggy winter soil. Cut off spent flower stems to keep the clump tidy. Remove old leaves in early spring. Divide every few years in spring if the centre starts to thin.

History: Terra Nova® Nurseries in Oregon bred the TEMPO™ series for tight, sturdy plants that bloom early and for a long time. 'Rose' was patented as 'TNGEUTR' and listed among Terra Nova's 2019 introductions.

Final Thoughts: Give it sun and a front-row spot. It's deer resistant, tidy and in no mood to flop. SWEEP SOMEBODY OFF THEIR FEET.