Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Orange Pumpkin Avens: Ruffled Orange for the Border Near Lavender
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Orange Pumpkin avens is a compact Geum with fully double, ruffled flowers in a warm pumpkin orange. The blooms ride on sturdy, branched stems above a low rosette of fuzzy, lobed leaves, and they arrive in quantity just as the garden is waking up for summer.
It is not a plant for lavender's driest ground, but it is a very good one for the border a few steps away, where its orange can bounce off purple spikes across the path.
Orange Pumpkin at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Geum 'Orange Pumpkin' |
| Flowers | Fully double, ruffled, about 1.5 inches across, pumpkin orange |
| Foliage | Low rosette of fuzzy, lobed, medium green leaves |
| Size | 18 to 20 inches tall in bloom, 12 to 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late May, peaks mid-June, long blooming with moderate rebloom |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Wildlife | Good for pollinators; deer resistant |
Where it fits in a lavender garden
Orange and purple sit opposite each other on the color wheel, which is why this pairing reads so strongly even from a distance. The trick is placement. Avens likes steadier moisture than lavender will tolerate, so give it a spot in a mixed border, a front-of-bed edge or a container on the patio within sight of the lavender instead of tucking it between the mounds.
Timing helps too. Orange Pumpkin opens in late May and peaks in mid-June, so it carries color right up to the moment English lavender begins, then overlaps with the first purple. Its foot-wide mound is small enough for narrow beds and big pots. Map the layout in the Companion Plant Planner before you plant.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun in cooler spots, with some afternoon shade where summers run hot.
- Soil: well-drained but consistently moist. Soggy winter soil is the main risk, so avoid low spots.
- Deadheading: cut spent stems at the base to keep new flowers coming.
- Dividing: lift and split the clump every few years to keep it vigorous.
- Winter: hardy in Michigan with good drainage. Occasional leaf spot is the only other common complaint.
Cutting the flowers
The stems are sturdy and the flowers rate well as cut flowers, so a few ruffled orange heads work nicely in a small jar on the kitchen table, especially next to early lavender. They do not dry well, so enjoy them fresh. There is no notable fragrance, which leaves the scent work to the lavender.
About the plug tray
Orange Pumpkin is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray of young starter plugs, a good fit for growers, larger borders or anyone potting up their own plants. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant avens right between my lavender plants?
It is better a few feet away. The moisture that keeps avens happy is more than lavender wants around its crown.
Do rabbits and deer eat it?
Deer tend to leave it alone, which makes it a reasonable pick for open, rural gardens.
Will it grow in a pot?
Yes. Its compact mound suits containers. Pots dry out faster, so check the soil more often in summer.
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