Source: Mike Pennington
Geum rivale
Water Avens
Benoîte des ruisseaux
Obsolete Names
chocolate-root
purple avens
benoîte pourpre
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Wet
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White
Bloom period: May - Aug
Max Height: 2.0 feet
Max Width: 1.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates sandy conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant causes skin rashes
This plant causes skin rashes
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Thrives in Ecozones
- Taiga Plains
- Atlantic Maritime
- Taiga Shield
- Boreal Plains
- Montane Cordillera
- Hudson Plains
- Boreal Shield
- Pacific Maritime
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Geum rivale
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Geum rivale
No bee data available for this plant.
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Chelone glabra
White Turtlehead
Galane glabre - Gentiana andrewsii
Closed Bottle Gentian
Gentiane d'Andrews - Iris versicolor
Harlequin Blue Flag Iris
Iris versicolore - Scirpus pendulus
Hanging Bulrush
Scirpe pendant - Scutellaria lateriflora
Mad-dog Skullcap
Scutellaire latériflore
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
- Cotnius (Smokebush)
- Astilbe (Astilbe)
Sowing Information
Download Sowing Label (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
- Sow by March
- Stratification duration: 30 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: July
- Harvesting indicator: Pods are brown and crisp and starting to open, seeds are dark and tiny stem attaching to the main stem is brown. Seeds easily fall off pod when shaken, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
- Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Inadequate information on toxicity found.