Geums are the border plants that refuse to dress down, bringing delicate flowers in shades of apricot, copper, orange and scarlet to summer borders.
They slot easily in among cottage garden favourites such as salvias, hardy geraniums, alliums and roses, while their open blooms attract visiting bees.
As the first flush begins to fade, the border can lose some of its summer colour, but regular deadheading and a little well-timed care can encourage many geums to put on another display later in the season.
Should you deadhead geums after flowering?
Deadheading is the most important job if you want to encourage another round of flowers later in the summer. Angelika Zaber, a UK-based lawn care specialist and gardening expert at Online Turf, explains that removing spent flowers regularly redirects the plant’s energy away from producing seed and towards developing more blooms.
Look closely at each stem before cutting, as unopened buds may be sitting just below the faded flower head. “The spent flowers will likely have new buds that are waiting to open below them, so make sure not to cut these off,” Angelika adds.
Should you cut geums back after flowering?
Avoid cutting the whole plant down while it is still producing buds, as this can shorten the flowering season. Angelika says deadheading should be enough while the plant is still blooming, with old flower stems cut back only once the display has finished.
Once the main flush is over, removing spent stems and tired foliage can encourage fresh growth. Mirela Bajic, senior garden designer at House Designer, says: “Deadheading keeps the first flush going longer, but for a proper second flush the better trick is a harder tidy once the main flowering is over.”
Cut the old flower stems back to the base where they meet the clump, rather than cutting down the entire plant. Mirela advises removing old, damaged or mildewed leaves while leaving the fresh basal foliage in place.
Water and mulch geums after flowering
Geums are less likely to flower again if the soil becomes too dry, so water them during dry spells, particularly after deadheading or cutting back. Mirela says: “Geums like moisture-retentive soil. Also mulch around, not on, the crown to hold moisture through summer.
“Feeding, however, is not needed unless you have poor soil.”
Most geums flower best in a sunny position, with regular watering during prolonged dry spells.
How long does it take for geums to flower again?
New flowers may appear within several weeks, although there is no fixed timetable and the timing will depend on the variety, weather and growing conditions.
Angelika estimates that plants deadheaded promptly may flower again within a few weeks: “The exact amount of time that it will take for your geums to create a second wave of blooms depends on a few factors. If deadheaded straight away, usually it can take 2–3 weeks.”
But it's worth pointing out that hot weather and prolonged dry spells may delay the second flush or prevent it altogether.
“Extreme temperatures and prolonged dry spells can increase this to even up to 6 weeks or prevent the second wave entirely,” she adds. Mirela gives a slightly longer estimate, suggesting that geums may flower again within four to six weeks after being tidied and fed.
The second display is often smaller than the first, but it can still bring a welcome burst of colour to the border later in the summer.
Which geums are most likely to flower again?
Angelika recommends Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’, which she says “can have a second flush of blooms from July to September if deadheaded properly”.
Gardeners Dream Geum 'Totally Tangerine'
Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’ is another reliable option. Mirela says sterile varieties tend to rebloom particularly well, adding: “Totally Tangerine barely stops all season. Because it can't set seed, it never gets the signal to stop flowering, so it just keeps going.”
She also recommends ‘Mrs J. Bradshaw’ and ‘Lady Stratheden’ for repeat flowering, although the strength and timing of any second display will depend on the weather and growing conditions.
What to do with geums at the end of the season
Once flowering has finished for the year, cut the remaining spent flower stems back to the base and remove any old, damaged or mildewed leaves, leaving healthy foliage in place while it still looks fresh.
If an established clump has become congested or is flowering less freely, divide it every few years to give the plant more room and encourage stronger growth the following season.
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