Geum rivale - Water Avens

Geum rivale - Water AvensSizes available: TBD, coming in 2026 Basics: zones 3 7, . 75 1. 5' x . 5 1', full sun to part shade, peach colored flowers with dark purple mauve calyx, blooms late spring into summer, medium to wet, cool acidic soils with fertility. Prefers a bog or swamp edge, but is adaptable. Common names: Water Avens, Purple Avens Family: Rosaceae Origin Distribution: The western North American population occurs from the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia and

Sizes available: TBD, coming in 2026

Basics: zones 3-7, .75-1.5' x .5-1', full sun to part shade, peach colored flowers with dark purple-mauve calyx, blooms late spring into summer, medium to wet, cool acidic soils with fertility. Prefers a bog or swamp edge, but is adaptable.

Common names: Water Avens, Purple Avens

Family: Rosaceae

Origin/Distribution: The western North American population occurs from the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia and Alberta into Washington, Idaho, and Montana and as far south as higher elevations in New Mexico. The eastern population occurs in Labrador, west to southern Manitoba and south and west from New England to Minnesota northern New Jersey and West Virginia, Illinois, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Also native to temperate Europe and Asia. Native to Maine.

Habitat: bog, swamp, wet meadow, stream side, pond edge, slow-draining spots

More: The root has been used medicinally. Adaptable to a more medium moisture setting. This flower is so charming, I am going to try it in a little posey. More information coming soon.

Source: sown at Honey Petal Plants with seed from Toadshade Wildflower Farm

Image credits: all images from Wikimedia Commons. The botanical illustration is from a reference book on American medicinal plants written by Charles Frederick Millspaugh. The digital scan is from the collection of the State Library of Ohio and is part of the Digital Public Library of America. Cool!