Geum triflorum

Prairie Smoke Rosaceae

One of the great oddities of the genus, Geum triflorum is grown as much for what happens after flowering as for the flowers themselves. A low, spreading perennial from the grasslands and open woodlands of western and central North America, it forms handsome clumps of finely divided, fern-like foliage above which slender stems carry nodding, pink to reddish flowers in late spring. Once pollinated, the real spectacle begins: the feathery styles elongate into extraordinary plumes of silvery-pink seed heads, giving rise to the wonderfully evocative common name Prairie Smoke.

Its natural range extends from Alaska and western Canada south through the western and central United States to northern California, Arizona and New Mexico, with populations particularly associated with prairies, dry meadows, open woodland and rocky slopes. It is consequently much more tolerant of drought and poor soil than many garden geums, provided drainage is good.

Give it full sun and sharply drained, moderately fertile soil. It dislikes winter wet and heavy, waterlogged ground, while excessive fertility can produce floppy foliage at the expense of its naturally refined habit. Once established it is remarkably drought tolerant.

A superb plant for gravel gardens, prairie planting and sunny naturalistic schemes—and those smoke-like seed heads are almost absurdly good when backlit.

Height: 30–45 cm
Spread: 30–45 cm
Flowering: May–June
Seed heads: June–August
Hardiness: H7, below –20°C
Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained, preferably sandy or gritty soil. Drought tolerant once established; avoid heavy, persistently wet soils.