Geum 'Mrs Bradshaw' Seeds
'Mrs Bradshaw' is perhaps the most famous Geum in existence, and for good reason. It produces tall, wiry stems topped with semi-double, ruffled flowers in a warm, rich scarlet-red. The centres are filled with golden stamens that contrast beautifully with the strawberry-like foliage at the base.
This is a plant that bridges the gap. It starts blooming in late spring just as the tulips are finishing, and keeps going well into high summer. It brings a loose, relaxed, "English Country Garden" feel to any border, and because the stems are so thin, the red flowers appear to float in mid-air.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Geum is a Hardy Perennial.
It forms a low mound of semi-evergreen leaves that stays neat all year. In late spring, it sends up tall, branching flower stems.
Longevity: Geums are often short-lived perennials (3-4 years), but 'Mrs Bradshaw' is vigorous. To keep it going for longer, dig up the clump every 3 years in autumn, split it in half, and replant. This rejuvenates the plant and gives you free spares!
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Geums are easy to grow from seed and will often flower in their first year if sown early.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April, or outdoors in late summer/autumn. Surface sow onto moist compost and cover very lightly with vermiculite (they benefit from a little light). Keep warm (18-20°C). Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They thrive in sun or partial shade. They prefer soil that is moisture-retentive but well-drained. They dislike winter waterlogging, so if you have heavy clay, add grit to the planting hole.
Care While Growing:
Deadhead: This is the secret to a long display. If you cut back the spent flower stems regularly, the plant will push up new ones, extending the show into late summer.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Geum chiloense |
| Common Name | Avens 'Mrs J. Bradshaw' |
| Hardiness | H7 (Very Hardy) |
| Light Required | Sun / Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 45cm - 60cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 45cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 45cm apart |
| Great for | 🐝 Pollinators ✂️ Cut Flowers 🏡 Cottage Borders 🌧️ Clay Soil |
| Seed Count | Approx. 50 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The warm red of 'Mrs Bradshaw' looks stunning against cool blues or fresh greens:
- 💙 Forget-me-not 'Blue': The Spring Contrast. Geum starts flowering just as the Forget-me-nots are finishing. The deep red rising out of the sea of baby blue is a classic, vibrant cottage garden look.
- 🍋 Bupleurum 'Griffithii': The Florist's Pair. The zesty lime-green flowers of Bupleurum make the scarlet red of the Geum pop. Growing them together gives you an instant, high-contrast bouquet.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring or outdoors in late summer. Flowers late May to September.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Flowers (Yr 1+) | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ After-Flower Bonus
After the red petals drop, Geum develops a beautiful, fuzzy, burr-like seed head that turns reddish-brown. These look lovely in dried flower arrangements, so don't rush to deadhead everything!
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
'Mrs Bradshaw' holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). It is a proven, reliable performer in the UK climate and a fantastic source of nectar for bees.
- Regular price
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£2.30 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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£2.30
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