White Avens (Geum canadense)
Geum canadense, commonly known as White Avens, is a native perennial wildflower found in woodlands, prairies, and along roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in a variety of soil types, from moist to dry, and prefers partial shade to full sun.
This plant features small, five-petaled white flowers that bloom from late spring through summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. After flowering, it produces distinctive bur-like seed heads with hooked bristles that easily attach to animals and clothing, aiding in seed dispersal. Geum canadense typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, with deeply lobed leaves forming a basal rosette at the base.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Geum canadense is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to naturalized gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator habitats. It provides nectar for insects, supports wildlife, and helps stabilize soil with its fibrous root system. While it can self-seed readily, it is not considered aggressive and blends well with other native wildflowers in diverse plantings.
Geum canadense, commonly known as White Avens, is a native perennial wildflower found in woodlands, prairies, and along roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in a variety of soil types, from moist to dry, and prefers partial shade to full sun.
This plant features small, five-petaled white flowers that bloom from late spring through summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. After flowering, it produces distinctive bur-like seed heads with hooked bristles that easily attach to animals and clothing, aiding in seed dispersal. Geum canadense typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, with deeply lobed leaves forming a basal rosette at the base.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Geum canadense is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to naturalized gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator habitats. It provides nectar for insects, supports wildlife, and helps stabilize soil with its fibrous root system. While it can self-seed readily, it is not considered aggressive and blends well with other native wildflowers in diverse plantings.
Geum canadense, commonly known as White Avens, is a native perennial wildflower found in woodlands, prairies, and along roadsides throughout Illinois. It thrives in a variety of soil types, from moist to dry, and prefers partial shade to full sun.
This plant features small, five-petaled white flowers that bloom from late spring through summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. After flowering, it produces distinctive bur-like seed heads with hooked bristles that easily attach to animals and clothing, aiding in seed dispersal. Geum canadense typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, with deeply lobed leaves forming a basal rosette at the base.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Geum canadense is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to naturalized gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator habitats. It provides nectar for insects, supports wildlife, and helps stabilize soil with its fibrous root system. While it can self-seed readily, it is not considered aggressive and blends well with other native wildflowers in diverse plantings.
Bloom: summer
Habitats: edges of yards; fence rows with woody vegetation; mesic deciduous woodlands; partially shaded seeps; powerline clearances in wooded areas; thickets; woodland borders
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist to slightly dry
Plant type (height): forb (1.5 to 2.5 feet)
Requirements: partial sun to light shade
Soil: clay-loam; loam