Purple Avens
Geum rivale
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Labrador, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
iNaturalist: © disertinsky (iNaturalist #48119044)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Geum
- Species:
- Geum rivale
- USDA Symbol:
- GERI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, cream, yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers damp meadows and stream banks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification; light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. If no germination in 3 months, try 4C 1-2 months, then 20C again. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).