Geum, Variegated Avens
Geumurbanum 'Checkmate'

Family: Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee)
Genus: Geum (JEE-um)
Species: urbanum (ur-BAH-num)
Cultivar: Checkmate

Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Groundcovers
Herbs
Perennials

Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Good Fall Color
Succulent
Veined

Foliage Color

Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)

Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Coral/Apricot
Orange
Red-Orange

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Patent Information

Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
By simple layering
By air layering
By tip layering
By serpentine layering
By stooling or mound layering
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds