Mountain avens is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, almond, and lady’s mantle. It is native to the Pyrenees, Alps, Corsica and Carpathians eastward to western Russia and southwest Greece, where it grows in sub alpine meadows. Growing from a creeping rhizome, plants are 9-12” tall and produce a rosette of 4” long leaves that are densely pubescent. The flowering stems bear 1-3 golden yellow cup-shaped flowers that have five petals and are 1’ across. The flowers are held well above the foliage and give way to feathery seed heads. Plants do best in cooler climates and struggle in the South. The genus name, Geum, is the classical Latin name for the plant. The specific epithet, montanum, comes from the Latin word mons meaning mountain, and refers to the natural habitat of the plant.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Clusters of 1-3 golden yellow 1” in diameter flowers with 5 petals in late spring to early summer
Size: 9-12” H x 12’ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Average, medium moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Fresh seed, division
Companion Plants: Cranesbill, penstemon, bellflowers
Photo Credit: Wikipedia