Avens Isn't Blooming

Single or double blooms in shades of orange, yellow, pink, or a combination of these colors make Avens a beautiful addition to a bed or border. Some cultivars of this clump-forming perennial start to bloom in spring, while most are summertime bloomers. The lush, fuzzy foliage provides visual interest to an outdoor space, but the flowers are the real show-stopper, and it’s disappointing if this plant does not bloom. Understanding your plant’s needs can help you determine the problem and ensure your Avens bloom during the summer.

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Common Reasons Why Avens Isn’t Blooming

  1. Sunlight

Avens need full to partial sunlight to bloom. Too much or too little sunlight can result in plants that do not bloom. Evaluate the light if your plant is not blooming and move the plant to a spot with more fitting light.

  1. Water

Water Avens with about one inch of water each week. Under-watered plants may not push out buds, while over-watered plants may also fail to set flowers. Water when the top couple of inches of soil feel dry, and wait to water if the soil is damp.

  1. Fertilizer

Avens are not heavy feeders, and rich soil will support abundant growth. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in the spring. Over-feeding the plant can be damaging, and plants may not bloom.

  1. Pruning

Deadheading or removing faded flowers will encourage the plant to push out another flush of blooms. Dead or damaged growth can be removed as needed, but additional pruning is unnecessary. Cutting back the plant during the spring and summer may prohibit flower production. 

Pruning Avens To Help It Bloom

Avens respond well to deadheading. Flowers can be removed when they start to decline, and the plant will redirect energy into new flower production. Cut the flowers at the base of the bloom stem. Maintenance pruning can help Avens continue to bloom during the summer.

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Fertilizing Avens To Help It Bloom

Balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 supports Avens growth. Use a slow-release fertilizer once in the spring and thoroughly water the plant before spreading the fertilizer granules. Too much fertilizer or incorrect plant food, like a product high in nitrogen, may prohibit flower growth.

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Get Avens To Produce More Blooms

You can keep Avens blooming by removing faded flowers to encourage the plant to set more buds. Plants that are not blooming could be receiving too much or too little water, light, or nutrition. Evaluate the plant and the conditions, determine what is out of balance, and adjust the care as necessary.

Why Avens Isn’t Blooming

  • Inadequate levels of sunlight
  • Improper watering
  • Incorrect fertilizer
  • Too much pruning
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Author Alison Cotsonas - Published 08-23-2022