Geum Lady Stratheden
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Description
Geum chiloense 'Lady Stratheden' Yellow Avens 'Lady Stratheden'
Warm buttery-yellow semi-double ruffled saucers floating on slender wiry stems above a neat mound of soft scalloped semi-evergreen foliage — Geum 'Lady Stratheden' is the RHS Award of Garden Merit cottage garden perennial that has been grown in British gardens since the 1920s for one simple reason: it reliably delivers months of warm sunny flowering in a colour that is genuinely difficult to find in a truly perennial plant.
Most "yellow" perennials are harsh, almost acidic in colour. Lady Stratheden is something different — a soft, enamelled, slightly amber-tinged yellow that glows in the garden and reads particularly beautifully in evening light when the low sun backlights the translucent petals. Each bloom is held on a slender wiry stem well above the basal foliage, so the flowers appear to float in mid-air with a light, relaxed quality. The semi-double form provides genuine substance without overwhelming the airy character. Hardy perennial (H7), surviving below -20°C. Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit — recognition reserved only for plants of consistently outstanding garden performance. Flowering season is genuinely long: May through August with consistent deadheading. Height 50–60cm.
A note on growing
Geum seeds can be slow or variable in germination — 14 days to 6 weeks is the range, and this is normal. Do not discard trays of ungerminated seeds too quickly. Surface-sow indoors from February in light at 18–21°C. Cover with only the finest dusting of vermiculite (about 2mm) as the seeds need light to germinate. Maintain consistent warmth and moisture. A cold period after initial sowing can sometimes actually improve germination rates in difficult batches.
Plant out into sun or partial shade in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Geum is exceptionally tolerant of clay soils — the moisture-retention of clay actually suits it well, provided there is no prolonged winter waterlogging. Add grit to the planting hole in particularly dense clay.
The single most important management practice: deadhead every spent flower stem to the base, without fail, throughout the season. This is the difference between a Lady Stratheden that flowers for 6 weeks and one that flowers for 4 months. Cut the entire spent flower stem back to the basal foliage — do not leave stubs or partially dead stems. New stems emerge continuously from the base as spent ones are removed. Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigour.
Where it shines
In cottage borders for warm, reliable, long-season yellow flowering. As a "backlit beauty" — plant where the rising or setting sun can shine through the petals for spectacular evening display. As a complementary partner to blue and purple plantings (yellow and purple/blue are the classical complementary colour pairings). In wildlife gardens, where the open semi-double form is accessible to bees and butterflies. As a clay-tolerant garden hero — few decorative perennials handle heavy moist soils as well as Geum.
Plant alongside
For the classical complementary colour combination, pair Lady Stratheden with the violet-purple of Hesperis 'Purple' (Sweet Rocket) — both flower simultaneously in May–July creating one of the most powerful classical cottage garden colour pairings. For an all-spring scheme, combine with Aquilegia 'Columbine Blue' (Granny's Bonnet) where blue spurs dance among the yellow saucers. With Forget-me-not 'Blue' rising from below for an early-season carpet effect. With Geum 'Mrs Bradshaw' for the classic yellow-and-red Geum pairing.
Delivery
The seeds will be dispatched direct to you by Bishy Barnabees. Please allow up to 5 days for delivery.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
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Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
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