Sun Exposure: Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry, Dry
Soil Type: Sand, Sandy-Loam, Gravely
Height: Under 1 foot
Spread: 1 foot
Blooms: April, May, June
Root: Fibrous and rhizomatous
Habitat: Dry gravelly Prairies, Sand Prairies, Alvars (open limestone area) along the Great Lakes, Rocky cliffs. This plant is found in high quality prairies where the vegetation is neither too dense nor tall.
Landscape uses: Pollinator gardens, Drought resistant, Rock Gardens
Complimentary Plants: Pearly Everlasting, Hairy Beardtongue, Golden Ragwort, Harebell
Wildlife Value: The flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, which seek primarily nectar from the flowers.
Seed Origin: Carden, ON
Germination Code: C60
Photo credits: #1/2/3 by Sundaura Alford-Purvis
Geum triflorum - Prairie Smoke
Prairie Smoke is a must for the spring garden! It is best planted at the edges where it won't get crowded out by taller plants, or in a rock garden with plants of similar height. This precious plant has dark pink flowers that remain attractive for several months. Fertilized flowers are followed by fluffy silvery-pink fruits called achenes that are equally as lovely as the flowers. After pollination the stems turn upright, and the feathery heads look like smoke wafting away from the plant. The seedheads remain on the plant for many weeks until they dry out and become golden in colour, and are dispersed by the wind.