Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum
Also listed as Sieversia triflora, Erythrocoma triflora
Also known as Old Man's Whiskers, Three-flowered Avens, Torchflower
Climate Match for your location
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A native prairie perennial with delicate pink flowers and distinctive feathery seed heads that persist into fall. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Prairie smoke offers earlier spring interest than many native prairie perennials, with flowers appearing in mid-spring before most competing species. The distinctive plumed seed heads provide extended visual appeal and wildlife value through fall and winter. Compared to cultivated ornamentals requiring regular irrigation, it establishes with minimal inputs once roots develop, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance native plantings in well-drained soils.
Watch out for
Seedling establishment can be slow in the first season, so patience and consistent (but not wet) soil moisture during germination improve success rates. In areas with heavy clay or consistently moist soils, drainage amendments may be necessary to prevent root rot. Seed-grown plants may take two to three years to produce mature flowering stems.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American prairies
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, 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
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native prairie perennial with delicate pink flowers and distinctive feathery seed heads that persist into fall. It thrives in dry, sunny conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Prairie Smoke grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Prairie smoke offers earlier spring interest than many native prairie perennials, with flowers appearing in mid-spring before most competing species. The distinctive plumed seed heads provide extended visual appeal and wildlife value through fall and winter. Compared to cultivated ornamentals requiring regular irrigation, it establishes with minimal inputs once roots develop, making it a practical choice for low-maintenance native plantings in well-drained soils.
Watch out for
Seedling establishment can be slow in the first season, so patience and consistent (but not wet) soil moisture during germination improve success rates. In areas with heavy clay or consistently moist soils, drainage amendments may be necessary to prevent root rot. Seed-grown plants may take two to three years to produce mature flowering stems.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North American prairies
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, 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
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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