Water Avens
Geum rivale
Also listed as Anemone decaphilla, Anemone dodecaphilla
Also known as Purple Avens, Chocolate-root
Climate Match for your location
See how well Water Avens grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Water Avens is a charming perennial with delicate nodding pink flowers and feathery seed heads that persist into autumn. It thrives in moist, boggy conditions and is ideal for streamside gardens and wet meadows.
Why grow it
Water Avens offers reliable performance in permanently wet or seasonally saturated soils where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it a practical choice for poorly drained sites. Unlike some moisture-loving plants, it tolerates partial shade well and provides season-long interest through nodding flowers in early summer and decorative seed heads. It is less aggressive than some Geum species, making it suitable for mixed plantings in rain gardens and restored wetland margins.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can occur in ideal conditions, so deadheading some spent flowers may be needed if containment is desired. Growth tends to slow or stall if soil dries out for extended periods, even if the plant survives; consistent moisture is key to best performance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Europe and Asia
Native to: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Water Avens is a charming perennial with delicate nodding pink flowers and feathery seed heads that persist into autumn. It thrives in moist, boggy conditions and is ideal for streamside gardens and wet meadows.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Water Avens grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Water Avens offers reliable performance in permanently wet or seasonally saturated soils where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it a practical choice for poorly drained sites. Unlike some moisture-loving plants, it tolerates partial shade well and provides season-long interest through nodding flowers in early summer and decorative seed heads. It is less aggressive than some Geum species, making it suitable for mixed plantings in rain gardens and restored wetland margins.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can occur in ideal conditions, so deadheading some spent flowers may be needed if containment is desired. Growth tends to slow or stall if soil dries out for extended periods, even if the plant survives; consistent moisture is key to best performance.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Europe and Asia
Native to: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.