Guernsey Donkey 2 - after the above discussions, I weakened and bought a couple of fairly mature Mrs Bradshaw's and found one Cooky which is great.
I had 2 what were labelled Lady Stratheden - but I'm wondering if the labels were mixed up where I bought them because one bud has flowered today and it looks the same red as the separately bought Mrs Bradshaws. Some geums I've had in the past had a bud colour only during the budding time and the colour was different when they flowered fully. I haven't been able to find any description of Lady Stratheden blooming red first and then turning yellow - so I'm thinking whoever put the labels on the pots has made a mistake.
The Lady Stratheden's were bought some time ago and are in a different part of the garden from the Mrs Bradshaws I planted a few days ago - so I didn't muddle them. I'm really disappointed, much as I love Bradshaws, that I now have two Strathedens which were planted with a mix of yellow flowers but which now look as if they are bright Bradshaws red!
This was labelled 'Lady Stratheden' - but it doesn't look as if it's going to turn yellow!!!! Or is it meant to be red first and then turns yellow? The 2nd bud on the same stem which you see here looks as if it is going to be yellow.
This was a too long explanation of my confusion - sorry about that. I'm having a day full of senior moments!
It's my first year growing them too ( received them as part of the 'free' perennial pack you can get from T&M ) and they're so much prettier than I thought they'd be. I might give the seeds a go
My Lady S, which were from the perennial pack 2 years ago are now massive. I was thinking I should get some of the red ones but couldn't remember what they were called. Thanks.Yours are gorgeous. I Like the little orange ones too. Is Tangerine Dream the tall orange one?
Will these spread on their own? Do I need to divide to keep on top of? (If so I'll have some to give away in autumn or next spring). I only have a small garden.
I am no expert on Geums, but I think you can divide them in the Autumn Watery. In fact I think we did that a couple of years ago with the Mrs. Bradshaw's. I too would be disappointed to find the plant labelled one variety then find it turned out to be a different one Yarrow. The Mrs. Bradshaw buds are yellow but then open into red flowers - very misleading indeed. However I am so pleased that you found a Cooky too - they seem to be more scarce - most nurseries seem to have the most common Geum which is the Mrs. Bradshaw but Cooky is a little more delicate and elusive. I am looking forward to collecting the seed heads in the Autumn to grow on for next year. So far all the Mrs. Bradshaw's that I have grown from seed have grown true to the mother plant - I will have to label the seed heads of all of my varieties as I collect them this Autumn. Sorry for the mix of information but so pleased that other people are enjoying the plants as much as I am.
Thanks GuernseyDonkey2 for the Bradshaw response. I love the little Cooky. It's very cheeky but delicate - nice flower.
My Prinses Julianne or Julianna - the name seems to vary in publications - have gone very tall this year. They used to be about 2ft but this year are about 4ft and more. Maybe they go tall with age - this is their 5th year. On the other hand - maybe it's their swan-song before they disappear altogether. I've had other geums over the years bloom surprisingly one year and then the plant seemed to just go dormant. I'm sorry for posting another photo of the same old flower bed - but I'm so chuffed with the brightness of the Julianne with the centranthus. They really cheer me up and they're lovely in the evening light.
Cooky is on it's own at the moment - but shall have to try and remedy that for next year if I get a seed or two this year.
I see what you mean Yarrow - the Julianna is a colourful little flower - and that colour does look lovely in the evening light - I am not sure whether to look for a Julianna for our garden - it might be a bit too tall considering the height of your plants - in fact I don't think I have seen any of them at our local G.C's. I do like the little Cooky - there have been 4 or 5 flowers from mine so far, so am hoping to be able to collect some seed from them later in the summer. The first Mrs Bradshaw that I had died after about 15 years - so you may find that your Julianna has a lot longer to live yet!
Posts
Only those 2 mention above. Aren't they beautiful plants!!
They certainly are - I will look for more varieties at the plant sale we plan to go along to on Monday. Watch this space .......
Guernsey Donkey 2 - after the above discussions, I weakened and bought a couple of fairly mature Mrs Bradshaw's and found one Cooky which is great.
I had 2 what were labelled Lady Stratheden - but I'm wondering if the labels were mixed up where I bought them because one bud has flowered today and it looks the same red as the separately bought Mrs Bradshaws. Some geums I've had in the past had a bud colour only during the budding time and the colour was different when they flowered fully. I haven't been able to find any description of Lady Stratheden blooming red first and then turning yellow - so I'm thinking whoever put the labels on the pots has made a mistake.
The Lady Stratheden's were bought some time ago and are in a different part of the garden from the Mrs Bradshaws I planted a few days ago - so I didn't muddle them. I'm really disappointed, much as I love Bradshaws, that I now have two Strathedens which were planted with a mix of yellow flowers but which now look as if they are bright Bradshaws red!
This was labelled 'Lady Stratheden' - but it doesn't look as if it's going to turn yellow!!!! Or is it meant to be red first and then turns yellow? The 2nd bud on the same stem which you see here looks as if it is going to be yellow.
This was a too long explanation of my confusion - sorry about that. I'm having a day full of senior moments!
Last edited: 07 June 2016 01:23:16
It's my first year growing them too ( received them as part of the 'free' perennial pack you can get from T&M ) and they're so much prettier than I thought they'd be. I might give the seeds a go
My Lady S, which were from the perennial pack 2 years ago are now massive. I was thinking I should get some of the red ones but couldn't remember what they were called. Thanks.Yours are gorgeous. I Like the little orange ones too. Is Tangerine Dream the tall orange one?
Will these spread on their own? Do I need to divide to keep on top of? (If so I'll have some to give away in autumn or next spring). I only have a small garden.
I am no expert on Geums, but I think you can divide them in the Autumn Watery. In fact I think we did that a couple of years ago with the Mrs. Bradshaw's. I too would be disappointed to find the plant labelled one variety then find it turned out to be a different one Yarrow. The Mrs. Bradshaw buds are yellow but then open into red flowers - very misleading indeed. However I am so pleased that you found a Cooky too - they seem to be more scarce - most nurseries seem to have the most common Geum which is the Mrs. Bradshaw but Cooky is a little more delicate and elusive. I am looking forward to collecting the seed heads in the Autumn to grow on for next year. So far all the Mrs. Bradshaw's that I have grown from seed have grown true to the mother plant - I will have to label the seed heads of all of my varieties as I collect them this Autumn. Sorry for the mix of information but so pleased that other people are enjoying the plants as much as I am.
Thanks GuernseyDonkey2 for the Bradshaw response. I love the little Cooky. It's very cheeky but delicate - nice flower.
My Prinses Julianne or Julianna - the name seems to vary in publications - have gone very tall this year. They used to be about 2ft but this year are about 4ft and more. Maybe they go tall with age - this is their 5th year. On the other hand - maybe it's their swan-song before they disappear altogether. I've had other geums over the years bloom surprisingly one year and then the plant seemed to just go dormant. I'm sorry for posting another photo of the same old flower bed - but I'm so chuffed with the brightness of the Julianne with the centranthus. They really cheer me up and they're lovely in the evening light.
Cooky is on it's own at the moment - but shall have to try and remedy that for next year if I get a seed or two this year.
I see what you mean Yarrow - the Julianna is a colourful little flower - and that colour does look lovely in the evening light - I am not sure whether to look for a Julianna for our garden - it might be a bit too tall considering the height of your plants - in fact I don't think I have seen any of them at our local G.C's. I do like the little Cooky - there have been 4 or 5 flowers from mine so far, so am hoping to be able to collect some seed from them later in the summer. The first Mrs Bradshaw that I had died after about 15 years - so you may find that your Julianna has a lot longer to live yet!
I too love geums, I have Lady Stratheden, Fireball and Cosmopolitan. I also have an orange one which I think is Borisii.
Lady Stratheden
Cosmopolitan
Think this one is Borisii but not sure.
Haven't got a photo of Fireball, must take one.
The Cosmopolitan geum looks gorgeous