Geum triflorum – Prairie Smoke

General Information: Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke) is a humble, yet unique, North American perennial, aptly named for the noteworthy wispy seedheads that resemble smoke. Prairie Smoke, sometimes called Old Man’s Whiskers, Purple Avens, or Three-Flowered Avens naturally occurs across southern Canada and the central and northern U.S. in grasslands. These plants are becoming increasingly rare over much of their native range due to non-native competition and development. This plant has been used by Indigenous Peoples as a medicine throughout the plant’s native range.

Cultivation Details:  Deeply cut, fern-like leaves turn red, purple and orange in autumn. The leaves are not robust in the heat of summer but grow again in late summer. One of the earliest flowers to bloom on the prairie, with flowers emerging in May and June and seed heads persisting throughout summer. Each rosette of leaves will produce up to 9 nodding flowers, atop 12-18” stems. The flowers generally occur in threes (hence ‘triflorum’ meaning ‘3 flowers’). Pollinated by bees, fertilized flowers are followed by fluffy seedheads, the styles are greatly elongated, forming plumes up to 3″ long. After pollination the stems curve upright, so that by the time the tufted fruits appear the feathery heads look like smoke blowing in the wind. Seedheads persist for several weeks until they dry and are dispersed naturally by wind. Seedheads can be used for dried flower arrangements.

Useful for edging, or a specimen for added interest, though not as showy as other plants. Ideal for rock gardens, meadows and prairies. Plant with other dry-loving plants like Blazing Star (Liatris spp), or Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Prairie Smoke naturally occurs alongside Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) and Richardson’s Alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii), both of which we are also offering this year. Gradually spreads by rhizome. Easy to grow.

Growing Requirements: Geum triflorum prefers Full sun. Tolerates light shade with some reduction in growth. Tolerant of most soil types, performing equally well in loamy, sandy and clay soils. Prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Suitable for rock gardens, but stays smaller in stature. Tolerates dry conditions, but likes moisture in spring and good drainage in winter. Ideal exposure is western or southern. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.