GEUM Firestarter

Overview and Description

Geum 'Firestarter' is a bold, upright perennial celebrated for its fiery orange-red blooms and early, prolific flowering. As part of the newer wave of Geum cultivars bred for compact habit, stronger stems, and repeat blooming, 'Firestarter' adds vivid colour and energy to borders and containers from late spring into early summer.

Its semi-double flowers rise elegantly above a tidy mound of soft, hairy green foliage. With improved vigour, extended bloom time, and fantastic garden reliability, 'Firestarter' is ideal for sunny spots and looks especially striking when planted in bold groupings.

• Botanical Name: Geum 'Firestarter'

• Common Name: Avens ‘Firestarter’

• Plant Family: Rosaceae

• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

• Height & Spread: Approx. 40–50 cm tall × 30–40 cm wide

• Flowers: Semi-double, vibrant scarlet-orange with warm yellow undertones

• Foliage: Soft green, lobed leaves forming a neat basal clump

• Flowering Season: May to July, with a potential second flush in late summer

• Growth Habit: Upright flower stems with bushy clump at base

• Hardiness: Fully hardy (H7; withstands down to -20°C)

Ideal Growing Conditions

Light

• Performs best in full sun, where flowering is most profuse and colour most vivid

• Tolerates light shade, especially in hotter summer climates

• Best colour and performance in open, bright garden spaces

Soil

• Thrives in moist but well-drained soil

• Prefers loamy, sandy, or chalky soils with moderate fertility

• pH range: neutral to slightly acidic

• Avoid boggy or overly dry conditions

Watering, Feeding & Maintenance

Watering

• Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing and flowering period

• Once established, it becomes moderately drought-tolerant, but will flower more with occasional watering

• In containers, water regularly, especially in warm weather

Feeding

• Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support growth and flowering

• Supplement with a liquid bloom feed every 2–3 weeks during the main flowering season for prolonged blooms

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers that favour foliage over flowers

Maintenance

• Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming and maintain tidiness

• Cut back old flowering stems after blooming to refresh the plant

• Divide every 3 to 4 years in autumn or spring to retain vigour and prevent overcrowding

• Remove any winter-damaged foliage in early spring

Garden Uses and Companion Planting

Geum 'Firestarter' brings dramatic warm tones to early summer borders and mixes beautifully with cooler shades and soft textures. Its compact yet upright habit makes it especially suitable for front-of-border planting and smaller spaces.

Best Uses

• Cottage gardens and informal borders

• Pollinator-friendly gardens – attracts bees and hoverflies

• Containers and raised beds

• Mixed perennial schemes

• Excellent for cut flower arrangements

Companion Plants

• Looks fantastic alongside Salvia nemorosa, Nepeta, or Veronica

• Combines well with Allium, Papaver, and Aquilegia for late-spring drama

• Contrasts beautifully with silver foliage (e.g., Stachys byzantina) or soft yellows (Alchemilla mollis)

• Pair with ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuissima for texture and movement

Key Features and Benefits

• Intense, fiery blooms that ignite spring and early summer borders

• Strong upright stems ideal for cut flower use

• Compact clump-forming habit perfect for small gardens and containers

• Pollinator magnet – supports garden biodiversity

• Long flowering period with potential for late summer rebloom

• Low maintenance and easy to grow for gardeners of all levels

• Fully hardy and reliable across the UK climate

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.