Ap08

Geum marmalade © 2008 SpecialPerennials.com This April the showers have been of sleet, snow and hail accompanied by cold winds. However, as always, plants continue to surprise us, and our Geums are defying the weather and flowering earlier than ever with flowers appearing in late March. Now is a good time to appreciate the nodding blooms of the smaller spreading kinds often derived from the native Avens (Geum rivale). In flower from the first half of April are "Bell Bank", "Farmer John Cross", "Marmalade", "Mrs W. Moore", rivale "Barbra Lawton", rivale "Lemon Drops", rivale "Leonard's Variety". Even the larger cultivars such as "Rearsby Hybrid" and "Mrs. Bradshaw" are in full bud.

The three plants featured here: Geum Marmalade, Geranium Samobor and Heuchera Caramel will all look good together and will grown in sun or light shade. The Geum and Heuchera won't appreciate very dry soils.

Geum Marmalade in bloom in April.

Geranium phaeum Samobor © 2008 SpecialPerennials.com

Another plant flowering about on cue, and perhaps a bit early is the lovely Geranium phaeum "Samobor" with its maroon flowers and chocolate-blothed leaves. Good in sun (as here) or in even dry shade it will self seed and come true (if not crossed with other phaeum varieties). Propagate now by breaking up into individual rhizomes each with one or more leaf buds.

Foliage plants, such as Heuchera "Caramel" are looking fresh and vibrant. These can be divided by taking off rooted shoots and potting up (remember Caramel is protected by Plant Varietal Rights and cannot be propagated for resale). If your garden has a problem with vine weevil, now is the time to give Heucheras a tug. If they are not well rooted, dig them up and search the soil around the roots (or lack of them!) for the small, brown-headed, white grubs and squash them (yuk!) or if squeamish ask your local Robin to tuck in. Wash the stems of the plants well because grubs can hide in the crevices between the stems before replanting. Keep well watered until new roots grow. Heucheras tend to pull themselves out of the soil over time so its a good idea to replant at this time anyway.

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