Avens Geum 'Borisii'
ABOUT
Geum 'Borisii', often referred to as Avens, is a vibrant perennial that adds a pop of color to garden spaces. This attractive plant features a rosette of hairy, dark-green leaves which create an appealing groundwork for the bright orange flowers that rise above them. These flowers, notable for their round, spiky silhouette, are eye-catching with ruffled petals that can be likened to the delicate frills of a flamenco dancer's dress. The blooms are perched atop slender, wiry stems that give the flowers a graceful, airy appearance as if they are floating above the foliage. The contrast between the rich green leaves and the vivid orange petals makes 'Borisii' an excellent choice for gardeners looking for plants with warm, fiery hues to enliven their landscape.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Boris Avens.
Common names
Geum 'Borisii'.
ToxicityTo humans
Geum 'Borisii', commonly known as Avens, is not typically considered toxic to humans. There is no widespread documentation of poisoning or adverse health effects from ingesting this plant. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities can occur, so it's generally advisable to avoid ingesting plants that are not commonly recognized as food unless you are certain they are safe.
To pets
Avens is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is not listed among commonly toxic plants for dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. Again, while it is not considered poisonous, individual animals may have different sensitivities, so it is always best to prevent pets from ingesting plants not specifically intended for them.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Geum 'Borisii' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems.
- Landscape Beautification: With its bright orange flowers, the plant adds vibrant color to gardens and landscaping projects.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, requiring less watering and reducing maintenance efforts.
- Low Maintenance: It generally requires minimal care once planted, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Long Blooming Season: Geum 'Borisii' has a lengthy blooming period, offering visual interest from late spring to summer.
- Cold Hardy: This plant is capable of surviving in colder climates, making it suitable for a variety of landscapes.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Flower Arranging: Geum 'Borisii', also known as Avens, produces bright orange flowers that can add a vivid splash of color to cut flower arrangements.
- Dye Plant: The petals of the Avens may be used to create a natural orange dye for fabrics or paper crafts.
- Garden Borders: Due to its compact size and colorful blooms, Avens can be used to define the edges of garden beds and pathways.
- Pollinator Attraction: Avens are known to attract bees and butterflies, making them suitable for pollinator gardens.
- Educational Tool: Gardeners and educators can use Avens to teach about plant life cycles and pollination processes given its distinctive reproductive features.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not commonly consumed, the petals of Avens can be used as an edible garnish to add color to dishes.
- Mood Photography: The vibrant flowers of the Avens make them an excellent subject for garden and macro photography, often used to symbolize brightness and cheer.
- Ground Cover: Avens can be planted en masse as a ground cover to reduce soil erosion and suppress weeds.
- Seasonal Interest: With its early to late summer blooming period, Avens adds seasonal interest to temperate gardens throughout the growing season.
- Landscape Art: Creative garden designers may use the bright hues of Avens flowers as a 'living paint' to create striking patterns and designs within a landscape.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Avens is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Avens is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The geum plant, often recognized for its hardiness, symbolizes the ability to thrive in challenging environments and the strength to bounce back from adversity.
- Survival: Geum's capability to survive in various soil types and its drought tolerance reflect the symbolic meaning of survival and endurance through difficult situations.
- Warmth and Cheer: With the fiery orange to red blooms of 'Borisii', this plant symbolizes warmth, happiness, and the power of positivity to uplift one's spirits.
- Passion and Desire: The bright, bold flowers are often associated with feelings of passion and strong desire, reflecting an intense emotional state.
WaterAvens, commonly referred to as Geum 'Borisii', requires regular watering to maintain moist soil conditions, especially during dry spells. In general, water these plants once a week with approximately 1 inch of water. It's crucial to avoid overwatering and ensure the soil drainage is good to prevent root rot. During particularly hot and dry periods, you may need to water avens twice a week. Make sure to soak the soil thoroughly so that the water reaches the deep roots, rather than just moistening the surface.
LightAvens thrives in full sun to partial shade, so place the plant in a location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If grown in too much shade, Geum 'Borisii' might not bloom as profusely. However, in regions with very harsh afternoon sun, some light shade can help protect the plant from heat stress.
TemperatureAvens is adapted to a wide range of temperatures but grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 75°F. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to 20°F and maximum temperatures around 85°F. To encourage healthy growth and flowering, aim to maintain temperatures within this ideal range whenever possible.
PruningPruning avens is important to remove spent flowers and encourage new growth and blooming. Deadhead regularly by cutting back the faded flower stalks to the base of the plant. This can be done throughout the blooming season. Additionally, after the main bloom period is over, cut back the foliage to stimulate a flush of new leaves and possibly a second bloom. The best time for a major trim is late summer or early fall.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAvens 'Borisii' thrives best in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix incorporating loamy garden soil, peat, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal to ensure adequate drainage and fertility. Regular addition of organic compost can enhance soil conditions for this plant.
RepottingAvens 'Borisii' typically doesn't need frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its current container. It's best to repot in the spring before the onset of the growing season.
Humidity & MistingAvens 'Borisii' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and doesn't require any special humidity considerations beyond normal outdoor conditions. It is tolerant of a range of atmospheric moisture environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
Outdoor
Full sun to part shade, well-drained fertile soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
5-7 USDA
Life cycleGeum 'Borisii', commonly known as Boris Avens, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in late winter to early spring. The seedlings establish a rosette of basal leaves and develop a deep taproot that allows them to survive in various soil conditions. In the following spring or early summer, the plant sends up flowering stems that bear bright orange flowers, which are attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers develop into achenes, a type of dry fruit, that are dispersed by wind or animals. The plant is a perennial, so after flowering, it will go dormant in the winter, with the crown of the plant surviving to regrow the following spring. This cycle continues annually, with the plant potentially spreading by self-seeding or division by gardeners.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Geum 'Borisii', also known as Avens, is by division. This is ideally done in the spring or autumn. To propagate by division, carefully lift the clump of Avens out of the ground with a garden fork, trying not to damage the roots. Once lifted, divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring each section has a portion of the root system. Replant the sections at the same depth at which they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart to give each new plant enough space to grow. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish the roots. This method allows for quick establishment and flowering in the following growing season.
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