{"product_id":"geum-lady-stratheden","title":"Geum Lady Stratheden","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeum chiloense 'Lady Stratheden'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eYellow Avens 'Lady Stratheden'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWarm buttery-yellow semi-double ruffled saucers floating on slender wiry stems above a neat mound of soft scalloped semi-evergreen foliage — Geum 'Lady Stratheden' is the \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Award of Garden Merit\u003c\/strong\u003e cottage garden perennial that has been grown in British gardens since the 1920s for one simple reason: it reliably delivers months of warm sunny flowering in a colour that is genuinely difficult to find in a truly perennial plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMost \"yellow\" perennials are harsh, almost acidic in colour. Lady Stratheden is something different — a soft, enamelled, slightly amber-tinged yellow that glows in the garden and reads particularly beautifully in evening light when the low sun backlights the translucent petals. Each bloom is held on a slender wiry stem well above the basal foliage, so the flowers appear to float in mid-air with a light, relaxed quality. The semi-double form provides genuine substance without overwhelming the airy character. Hardy perennial (H7), surviving below -20°C. Holds the \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Award of Garden Merit\u003c\/strong\u003e — recognition reserved only for plants of consistently outstanding garden performance. Flowering season is genuinely long: May through August with consistent deadheading. Height 50–60cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on growing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eGeum seeds can be slow or variable in germination — 14 days to 6 weeks is the range, and this is normal. \u003cstrong\u003eDo not discard trays of ungerminated seeds too quickly\u003c\/strong\u003e. Surface-sow indoors from February in light at 18–21°C. Cover with only the finest dusting of vermiculite (about 2mm) as the seeds need light to germinate. Maintain consistent warmth and moisture. A cold period after initial sowing can sometimes actually improve germination rates in difficult batches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003ePlant out into sun or partial shade in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Geum is \u003cstrong\u003eexceptionally tolerant of clay soils\u003c\/strong\u003e — the moisture-retention of clay actually suits it well, provided there is no prolonged winter waterlogging. Add grit to the planting hole in particularly dense clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe single most important management practice\u003c\/strong\u003e: deadhead every spent flower stem to the base, without fail, throughout the season. This is the difference between a Lady Stratheden that flowers for 6 weeks and one that flowers for 4 months. Cut the entire spent flower stem back to the basal foliage — do not leave stubs or partially dead stems. New stems emerge continuously from the base as spent ones are removed. Divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere it shines\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn cottage borders for warm, reliable, long-season yellow flowering. As a \"backlit beauty\" — plant where the rising or setting sun can shine through the petals for spectacular evening display. As a complementary partner to blue and purple plantings (yellow and purple\/blue are the classical complementary colour pairings). In wildlife gardens, where the open semi-double form is accessible to bees and butterflies. As a clay-tolerant garden hero — few decorative perennials handle heavy moist soils as well as Geum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant alongside\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eFor the classical complementary colour combination, pair Lady Stratheden with the violet-purple of Hesperis 'Purple' (Sweet Rocket) — both flower simultaneously in May–July creating one of the most powerful classical cottage garden colour pairings. For an all-spring scheme, combine with Aquilegia 'Columbine Blue' (Granny's Bonnet) where blue spurs dance among the yellow saucers. With Forget-me-not 'Blue' rising from below for an early-season carpet effect. With Geum 'Mrs Bradshaw' for the classic yellow-and-red Geum pairing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57888036127094,"sku":"GEM-LSE","price":2.35,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0716\/3566\/5206\/files\/Geum_Lady_Stratheden_1.png?v=1779020122","url":"https:\/\/www.summerwoodenplanters.com\/products\/geum-lady-stratheden","provider":"Summer Wooden Planters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}