Geum triflorum
PRAIRIE SMOKE, AVENS
SKU: 2037-010
Geum triflorum, commonly known as prairie smoke, old man's whiskers, torchflower, three-sisters, long-plumed purple avens, lion's beard, or three-flowered avens, is a spring-blooming perennial that is widespread in colder and drier environments of western North America, although it does occur in isolated populations as far east as New York and Ontario. It is particularly known for the long feathery plumes.
The flowers of G. triflorum appear from mid-spring to early summer. The flowering stalks stand well above the leaves on red-purple-maroon stems 30-45 cm in height. When pollination is completed, the flower heads turn upright and the sepals begin to open. The petals may be visible at this stage. The many styles grow longer, eventually becoming 15-70 mm in length. The styles are densely covered in fine hairs making them resemble downy bird feathers or wisps of mauve smoke.
G. triflorum grows in open, non-forested habitat with well drained soils. This includes meadows in montane forests, prairies of the upper Midwest, and alvars in Michigan, New York, Ontario, and Manitoba. Plants are tolerant of clay soils when slopes provide drainage, but intolerant of being waterlogged. They require good moisture for new plants to establish and prefer areas that are well supplied with water in the spring, but tolerant of drought in summer and healthier with drier soils in summer. Prairie smoke plants are tolerant of some shade and prefer some afternoon shade in climates with hot summers.
Prairie smoke is planted in gardens as an ornamental for its interesting seed heads and for the persistent foliage in the winter. It is popular for native gardens, rock gardens, and with gardeners that wish to have an informal natural look. It is also suitable for use as part of green roof plantings because of its tollerance of periods of drought. Plants are winter hardy in USDA zones 3-7 and do not have any serious disease or pest problems.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 3-7
Height: 12-18", 30-45cm
Seeds per packet: 10
Geum triflorum, commonly known as prairie smoke, old man's whiskers, torchflower, three-sisters, long-plumed purple avens, lion's beard, or three-flowered avens, is a spring-blooming perennial that is widespread in colder and drier environments of western North America, although it does occur in isolated populations as far east as New York and Ontario. It is particularly known for the long feathery plumes.
The flowers of G. triflorum appear from mid-spring to early summer. The flowering stalks stand well above the leaves on red-purple-maroon stems 30-45 cm in height. When pollination is completed, the flower heads turn upright and the sepals begin to open. The petals may be visible at this stage. The many styles grow longer, eventually becoming 15-70 mm in length. The styles are densely covered in fine hairs making them resemble downy bird feathers or wisps of mauve smoke.
G. triflorum grows in open, non-forested habitat with well drained soils. This includes meadows in montane forests, prairies of the upper Midwest, and alvars in Michigan, New York, Ontario, and Manitoba. Plants are tolerant of clay soils when slopes provide drainage, but intolerant of being waterlogged. They require good moisture for new plants to establish and prefer areas that are well supplied with water in the spring, but tolerant of drought in summer and healthier with drier soils in summer. Prairie smoke plants are tolerant of some shade and prefer some afternoon shade in climates with hot summers.
Prairie smoke is planted in gardens as an ornamental for its interesting seed heads and for the persistent foliage in the winter. It is popular for native gardens, rock gardens, and with gardeners that wish to have an informal natural look. It is also suitable for use as part of green roof plantings because of its tollerance of periods of drought. Plants are winter hardy in USDA zones 3-7 and do not have any serious disease or pest problems.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 3-7
Height: 12-18", 30-45cm
Seeds per packet: 10
