Cocktails™ Top Shelf Margarita Geum

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1 Foot

Mature Spread

1 Foot

Growing Zones

5 to 7

The Cocktail™ series of Geum has fun names and flowers through the summer with next to no maintenance. Cocktails™ Top Shelf Margarita has a clear-yellow flower set off by deep-red stems held above its dark-green foliage. Top Shelf Margarita was introduced in 2018 after ten years of breeding and has proven itself to be the first of the series to rebloom reliably.

This herbaceous perennial is hardy in USDA zones 5-9 and can be treated as an annual in colder areas. Geum is very compact and dense, making it perfect for planting as a ground cover or filler for a mixed seasonal planter. The silk-like flowers of Geum are very resistant to deer browsing as well as most diseases. Geum is an excellent plant for attracting beneficial pollinators and a gorgeous addition to kitchen gardens. 

Geum Cocktails™ Top Shelf Margarita Care

Geum avens is easy going when it comes to its growing requirements. Any soil pH, texture, or level of fertility is acceptable to these tough-as-nails perennials. Place them in full sun to part shade for prolific blooming and vibrant foliage. Fertilize geum at the beginning of the spring with a slow-release, granular fertilizer. A balanced ratio of 10-10-10 NPK will support strong growth, flowers, and a sturdy root system. Water geum 2-3 times a week and only after the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. 

Regular deadheading will help Top Shelf Margarita to continue blooming nonstop through the summer. Clip the spent flower stems back to the first set of leaves. This helps to hide any bare stems and keeps the overall look of the plant tidy. Mulch the root zone and crown of geum with 2-3 inches of shredded leaves or arborist chips in the fall. This helps to insulate the roots from an unusually cold winter. Remove the previous season's faded growth in the late winter or early summer just as the new growth emerges.

Geum Cocktails™ Top Shelf Margarita Spacing

The mature size of Top Shelf Margarita is a compact 1 foot x 1 foot. These perennials can be planted close together to fill in a large area. Place the plants 8 inches apart on center. Plant geum in a pot with an 8-inch diameter or larger if planting with other seasonal plants.