Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Monday - July 12, 2010
From: Mountlake Terrace, WA
Region: Northwest
Topic: Shade Tolerant
Title: Leaves turning brown on geum in Mountlake Terrace WA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Assuming a geum is North American . . . mine are turning brown unlike any time before. They get watered occasionally and then dry out. Is there something special I should be doing for geums? They get full sun except late afternoon sun.ANSWER:
There are 15 species of the genus geum native to North America, of which 7 are native to Washington State. Snohomish County is in northwest Washington and Mountlake Terrace in the southwest corner of the county, in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. We first checked the USDA Plant Profiles to determine which geum was native to that area in an attempt to identify your plant. Geum macrophyllum (largeleaf avens) grows over most of Washington State, including your area. According to our website page on this plant, it requires shade, which we consider to be 2 hours or less of sun a day, so that is probably the main problem your plant is having. This website from the Washington Native Plant Society says it grows in meadows, moist woods and streambanks from low to middle elevations. It would appear that the environment in which your avens is growing is probably to blame.
Pictures of Geum macrophyllum from Google.
More Shade Tolerant Questions
Good evergreen screen and some shade plants for Plano Texas
November 03, 2010 - We live in Plano Texas. We have 15' between our house and our neighbor. We want to plant a divider/screen of something evergreen, about 6-15' (6-8' is better) and narrow, about 2-3' wide between t...
view the full question and answer
Plants for no sun in Austin
May 12, 2010 - I need recommendations for shrubs that can withstand no sun, something that possibly blooms but does not attract bees, wasps, or any stinging insects (hummingbirds or butterflies ok).
view the full question and answer
Wildlife garden for Austin
May 19, 2013 - I am trying to make my backyard more wildlife friendly. I have pecan trees for the canopy and some understory shrub/trees like rough leaf dogwood and redbud. I am having a really hard time finding sui...
view the full question and answer
Plants for shade in Pennsylvania
September 13, 2008 - i would like to plant a small area in my rear yard, that is full shade in the summer (when the trees are full with leaves) and part shade in early spring. i live on a state park - there are plenty of...
view the full question and answer
Native ground cover for part shade in Dowagiac MI
June 24, 2009 - Maybe I'm just too picky. I'm trying to make an area that is some what triangular shaped between my house and garage with a tall lattice/privacy fence on one side and walks in the back yard area on...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
