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"Monster" geums - how did it happen?

NoSlugsPleaseNoSlugsPlease Posts: 120
in Problem solving
The flowering stems on my geums (2 Mrs Bradshaws & a yellow one) grew ridiculously tall in spring (about 1m) and looked really odd. The clumps of leaves at the base were at a normal height (like those in the neighbours' gardens). Now that the first flush of flowers have died off, the new flowering stems are a normal height again.

I'm wondering if it's because they were planted in front of the raised beds which we use for growing veg. We dump a load of rotted manure in there each winter and maybe all the nutrients have leaked into the beds with the geums (which is on slight downward slope from the raised beds)? No effect on the achilleas which are next to the geums though.
Any guesses? I hope to avoid a repeat of this next spring. Thank you.

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Mine are always about that length. But rarely go straight up.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I think it is very possible they have benifited from the extra nutrients. Personally I would enjoy them as they are an say to myself that's nature.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • NoSlugsPleaseNoSlugsPlease Posts: 120
    Thank you, both. Looks like I should just accept that that's how they will be. I thought it was strange as I bought them last year and they looked 'normal' then. @B3, yes, they flopped over too - all over the drive, unfortunately.
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @NoSlugsPlease   I think my geum was "totally tangerine" and it really did spread. The flower stems were in competition with the Verbena B. Fortunately where it was planted didn't matter that it was untidy and added colour to the flower bed. Have now cut all the stems off. Pic below before it got the chop. 

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @NoSlugsPlease Just one thought if you lifted an split in the Autumn assuming we are not still in a drought situation, perhaps some smaller plants won't grow as tall?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    My Geums were massively tall this year too,as FranIOM said,in competition with Verbena B.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • NoSlugsPleaseNoSlugsPlease Posts: 120
    @Fran IOM, thanks for the photo and @Valley Gardener for your comment. At least I know my geums aren't that unusual. They took me by surprise as they were a lot shorter when I bought them last year and the neighbours' geums aren't that tall either.

    @GardenerSuze , I'll pluck up my courage and try splitting them. They're quite crowded where they are at the moment but I'll also have to find another spot for the smaller plants...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @NoSlugsPlease I have a friend who opens their garden for the NGS alot of my surplus plants are potted for her to sell.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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