Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is a distinctive prairie wildflower with irresistible pink feathery seed heads. Each flowering stem holds three nodding pink bell-shaped flowers. Once the flowers are fertilized, the real show begins as the nodding blooms transform into upright clusters of wispy pink plumes …
Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is a distinctive prairie wildflower with irresistible pink feathery seed heads. Each flowering stem holds three nodding pink bell-shaped flowers. Once the flowers are fertilized, the real show begins as the nodding blooms transform into upright clusters of wispy pink plumes. A massed planting creates a pinkish haze that can last for a month. The basal leaves are fern-like and deeply serrated with hairy margins. While not truly evergreen, the leaves can persist through winter, turning attractive shades of red and crimson. Plants spread slowly by rhizome to form a groundcover and are perfectly suited for dry rock gardens. Prairie Smoke is also effective planted in groups in a perennial bed, but it does not like to be overcrowded by taller perennials. Excellent for hot dry spots, it thrives in any well-drained soil. Wet and soggy winter conditions may cause the plants to die back. Other common names include Old Mans Whiskers and Purple Avens.
Native plants can be grown outside of their native range in the appropriate growing conditions. This map shows the native range, as well as the introduced range, of this species.
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Being rhizomatous, how quickly will this spread to fill out a space? Should I still plant at 6" spacing or spread them out and let them fill in over the course of a few years?
The rhizomatous spread of prairie smoke is slow. If you are planting in ideal conditions, such as a sandy-loam with fast drainage and some nutrients, then growth will be optimal and plants will spread a bit faster. Individual Prairie Smoke plants form a mound of foliage around 6-10” tall and wide. Planted at 9” apart you should have mature plants that fill the space in 2 years. The Spreading by rhizome can take longer than 2 years. In the garden, Prairie smoke plants can be propagated by division in late spring (after flowering is finished) or in the fall. Large clumps can be divided every 3-4 years to maintain vigor. (Established plants in prairie/meadow situations should be left alone.)
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