Water Avens, Chocolate Root, Indian Chocolate, Purple Avens
A moisture-loving plant, Geum rivale (Water Avens) is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial boasting drooping, bell-shaped, ivory to pink flowers, 3/4 in. across (2 cm), from late spring to late summer. Both flower stems and sepals are flushed with dark red. Borne at the tip of long, upright stems, they rise enthusiastically above the downy foliage of large, bright green, lobed basal leaves. Noted for its long flowering period, Geum rivale is useful as a ground cover for cool wet areas where many other plants often struggle. If boiled, its roots yield a liquid that tastes faintly like chocolate.
| Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Geum |
| Common names | Geum, Chocolate Root, Avens |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height | 9" - 2' (23cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 6" - 12" (15cm - 30cm) |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United Kingdom, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Midwest, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Rocky Mountains, Colorado |
| Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Rosaceae |
| Genus | Geum |
| Common names | Geum, Chocolate Root, Avens |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height | 9" - 2' (23cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm) |
| Spacing | 6" - 12" (15cm - 30cm) |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | United Kingdom, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Midwest, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington, West Virginia, Southwest, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Rocky Mountains, Colorado |
| Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ground Covers, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Geum rivale (Water Avens) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Geum rivale (Water Avens) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
