Streaked in cardinal shades atop reddish stalks, the nodding blooms adorn a handsome, close-knit hummock of divided medium green leaves. Casting warm-colored charm, ‘Beech House Apricot’ stays low to the ground, nestled alongside our stone steps with Campanula ‘Birch Hybrid’ for company.

Blooms May–July.

Size: 8" high x 8" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Named for a stream bank on his Yorkshire property, British TV gardening host Geoffrey Smith developed this flamboyant semidouble hybrid by presumably crossing Geum rivale and Geum ‘Borisii’. Situated atop hirsute mahogany-hued stems, the pointed deep red buds reveal large, open, bowl-shaped copper-pink flowers, flaunting overlapping goffered petals, yellow and cocoa-colored bosses plus dark calyces. ‘Bell Bank’s winsome low-growing rosette of scalloped, compact bright green foliage makes a vigorous nearly-evergreen addition to east-facing alcoves with protection from hot afternoon sun.

Blooms April–June

Size: 18" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Impassioned by blazing, dark scarlet shades, round upward facing flowers parade on wiry, merlot-colored branching stems. This compact, long blooming Piet Oudolf selection juxtaposes opulent colors against a low clump of dark green foliage that’s just right for nestling amid steps or along a pathway’s edge. (pp#13,730)

Blooms April – June.

Size: 16" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Aglow with golden apricot colors, ebullient saucer-shaped flowers garnish short stocky red-infused stems above a fetching tightset green rosette. The prolific 5-petaled lucent blossoms offer a repeat bloom if judiciously dead-headed, while the rounded ripple-edged leaves remain evergreen in most climates. This well-groomed compact charmer fends off deer and rabbits, enhances Euphorbia ‘Acid Wash’ or blue-flowering Dracocephalum and makes a prismatic easy-care addition to staircases, path edges and a terra-cotta container.

Blooms April–July

Size: 15" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Conjuring the exquisite grace of a rose, upward-facing semidouble flowers promote ruffled, pastel primrose-yellow petals with creamy-white tips while perched on wiry 18 in. stems above dapper incised greenery. A sought-after member of Brent Horvath’s famed Cocktail Series, ‘Gimlet’ makes an amenable semievergreen addition to rockeries, butterfly gardens, perennial borders and containers, where adequately moist, well-drained soil will ensure its lush vigor. (pp#26,223)

Blooms May–July

Size: 16" – 22" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

‘Mango Lassi’ blooms a luscious medley of fruit-laden colors: soft orange, mango and peach infused with rich golden hues and coral tinges. Bedazzling her soft, small-toothed leaves, the layered and overlapping delicate petals shape sumptuous double flowers, while frilly-looking, dark nectarine centers and reddish purple buds heighten the allure. Introduced by Blooming Nursery, this neatly grounded “lassi” will bring warm, glowing accents to Stachys ‘Silky Fleece’.

Blooms May–July

Size: 12" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Once you witness the floriferous deluge that spans nearly 3 months, it’s easy to see why this garden-worthy 1923 Dutch introduction is still celebrated as one of the best semidouble Geums available. Lodged atop tall strong stems plus spiffy mounds of rounded rich green foliage, the abundantly petaled warm orange blooms emphasize their Geum chiloense heritage by appearing earlier than most in the genus. Sunny rock work, cottage gardens or mixed plantings make an ideal domain for ‘Prinses Juliana’s vivacious colors and undemanding temperament.

Blooms April–June

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

The sizzling scarlet-red display of ruffled, fully double roselike flowers perched upon 2 ft. tall well-branched stems will blaze this award-winning perennial into your heart. Peerless among Geum, ‘Blazing Sunset’s blooms claim to be the largest, nearly 2 ½ in. wide, the earliest to open and the last to call it quits. Anchoring the spunky floral pomp, winsome broad hairy leaves compose an undemanding compact semievergreen mound that stays low, maintains a lush green presence and can be situated right up front.

Blooms May–August.

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Springing up as a chance seedling in Beth Chatto’s Essex garden, this trim perennial fashions soft yellow blooms and a fresh green dome of scalloped leaves. Citrus-hued sprays unveil single bell-like flowers with orange stamens and green and red calyxes that dangle from arching wine-tinged stems.

Ensconced in the frontlines, this low growing Geum offers thirst-quenching accents just right for cooling down a fiery flowered companion like Potentilla ‘Monarch’s Velvet’.

Blooms May–July.

Size: 9" high x 9" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Plucked from an endemic British stand, this 1923 selection touts a superior upright countenance and an enticing flower hue that’s hard to describe. We say the pendent flared semidouble blooms are cinnabar—spicy reddish-orange shades with dusky-rose undertones—as they unfurl amid decorative maroon calyces and slender branching mahogany-colored stems. Appreciating cool wet areas and protection from hot afternoon sun, ‘Leonard’s Variety’s handsome compact clump of lobed bright green basal leaves draws butterflies but not deer or other pests, plus lends ravishing accents to rockeries, meadow plantings and cottage gardens.

Blooms May–July

Size: 18" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 6.

Nimbly elevated by slim flexible stems well above a snug green clump, sprays of ample, semidouble tomato-red flowers with slightly ruched petals perform a saucy months-long dance. Tantalizing butterflies and flower arrangers alike, full-toned flowers become a lush counterpoint to the energetic and easy-care clump of fuzzy, pinnately arranged leaves. Plant steadfast ‘Rubin’ alongside Stachys ‘Silky Fleece’ for a mesmerizing tango.

Blooms May–July

Size: 18" – 2' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Topping a good-looking leafy clump,the double tangerine orange flowers of this long blooming Geum make it undeniably playful and a lively companion for Geranium ‘Purple Pillow’ and Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’ at the front of the border.

Blooms May–August.

Size: 18" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Boasting a stellar reputation at the Chelsea Flower Show and 5 stars from the Chicago Botanical Garden’s Geum trials, ‘Totally Tangerine’ is reputed to produce more flowers over a longer duration than any other Geum! A masterly 1999 cross by British nursery owner, Timothy Crowther between Geum chiloense ‘Mrs. Bradshaw’ and Geum rivale, this exuberant Geum debuts a flower-laden frenzy with copious large, up and outward-facing peachy-orange blooms. The sterile, vividly colored semidouble blossoms lure bees, butterflies and florists above tall branched stems and a robust 14 in. semievergreen mounding rosette of close-knit, pinnate deep green leaves. (pp#22,041)

Blooms May–September

Size: 18" – 2-1/2' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

A small-statured inhabitant of our American prairies from Michigan to Washington and throughout most of the West, this aptly named charmer touts adorable, nodding creamy-white bells with flared mulberry-colored calyces, fanciful fruit and pinnately divided fern-like green leaves amid a rugged persona. The fading blooms, which generally occur in threes, give way to elongated 3 in. tall styles, creating prominent, smoke-shaped silver-pink plumes and fluffy seed heads beloved by birds, butterflies and floral designers. Acquiescent to dry, sandy or clay soil, ‘Prairie Smoke’ can be massed along a path or tucked into a sunny well-drained rock garden, where its fine details, downy-soft semievergreen foliage plus red, purple or orange fall colors are easily savored.

Blooms April–June

Size: 12" – 18" high x 12" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.