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Chiloe Avens
Geum chiloense
Easy · Beginner friendlyAbout Chiloe Avens
Scarlet Avens is a Chilean native perennial producing vibrant scarlet, orange, or yellow double or semi-double bowl-shaped flowers on airy stems above basal rosettes of hairy leaves. Growing 18 to 24 inches tall in flower, it blooms prolifically in early summer. The Mrs. Bradshaw and Lady Stratheden cultivars have been American garden favorites for over a century.
- Deer-resistant
- Cold-hardy
- Long-blooming
- Pollinator-friendly
How to care for Chiloe Avens
Watering
- Springevery 5 days
- Summerevery 3 days
- Fallevery 7 days
- Winterevery 14 days
Soil · Well-draining
- Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
- Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
- DrainageLECA / gravel20%
Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.
FERTILIZER
Balanced Feed 14-14-14
An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.
- Nitrogen · Leaves
- Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
- Potassium · Strength
- Springevery 30 days
- Summerevery 45 days
At a Glance
- NativeSouth America
- Height1.5–2.5 ft (0.5–0.8 m)
- Spread1.5–2 ft (0.5–0.6 m)
- Flower colorRed, Orange, Yellow
- Foliage colorGreen
- SoilRich, Loamy, Well-drained
- LocationsYard
Bloom time
BLOOM CYCLE
Peak bloom
May–Aug
Scarlet or gold double bowl flowers in early summer
Toxicity
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
DISTRIBUTION
- Native
- Introduced
- South America
History
Geum chiloense grows in moist grasslands and forest edges of south-central Chile, including Chiloé Island after which it is named. The Italian-French botanist Giovanni Battista Balbis described it in 1804. The plant reached Britain in the 1820s and was widely distributed after the Cornish plant collector William Lobb sent additional material to the Veitch nursery in the 1840s.
Its large brick-red flowers revolutionized garden geums, which had until then been muted European species. James Kelway of Kelway's Nursery introduced the famous double-scarlet 'Mrs. Bradshaw' around 1906 and the golden-yellow 'Lady Stratheden' soon after. Both received RHS Awards of Garden Merit and remain widely grown.
Modern derivatives include the compact 'Koi' and 'Tempo' series. Native to the Chilean Andes, introduced to British and American gardens in the 1800s. Bradshaw scarlet and Lady Stratheden yellow cultivars have been continuous garden favorites since the early 1900s, remaining among the most widely sold Geum cultivars in US seed catalogs.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
Chiloe Avens brings bright cheer in vivid scarlet and gold, ruffled blooms held above tidy basal foliage. As a heritage classic, century-old cultivars like 'Mrs. Bradshaw' have anchored cottage gardens since Edwardian borders were new. Its meaning is unassuming, lasting brightness — an old garden friend that returns each early summer with the same warm welcome.
- Bright cheer — vivid scarlet and gold flowers
- Heritage classic — century-old cottage garden cultivars
Where the Name Comes From
'chiloense' refers to Chiloe Island and Chilean origin.
Uses & Fun Facts
- Slender stems of red blooms prized in cottage bouquets
- Open early-summer flowers feed bees and small pollinators
Related plants
More Geum plants
Plants with similar care
Chinese AbeliaAbelia chinensis
Fragrant AbeliaAbelia mosanensis
Large-Flowered AbeliaAbelia uniflora
Glossy AbeliaAbelia x grandiflora
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Chiloe Avens?
In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 14 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.
How much light does Chiloe Avens need?
Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Chiloe Avens toxic to cats or dogs?
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Chiloe Avens easy to grow?
Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.
When does Chiloe Avens bloom?
It typically blooms May–Aug in the Northern Hemisphere.
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