Prairie Smoke Flower
Geum triflorum • Rosaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Flower / Wildflower / Herbaceous Perennial
🌍 Origin Region
North America (Great Plains and Northern regions)
📅 Days to Maturity
1-2 years to reach blooming maturity when grown from seed. Bloom window is typically April to June.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
3-7 (USDA). Fully hardy perennial that survives very cold winters.
About This Seed
The seed head is a cluster of achenes with feathery, long, pinkish-purple styles that resemble plumes of smoke. The plant grows to 6-18 inches with deeply lobed, fern-like green foliage and nodding, bell-shaped pink flowers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring planting; prefers 60-90 days of cold moist stratification; very frost hardy.
Germination
Needs 60-90 days of cold moist stratification at 35-40°F. Germination takes 21-30 days once moved to 65-70°F. Light helps germination; surface sow or lightly cover.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 1/16 inch or surface sow. Spacing: 6-12 inches. Soil: Well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soil. pH: 5.8 - 7.5.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun to Partial Shade. Low to moderate water; drought tolerant once established, especially in summer.
Companion Plants
Little Bluestem, Prairie Dropseed, Pasque Flower, Blue Grama, and Shooting Star. Avoid aggressive spreading grasses.
Special Characteristics
Highly pollinator-friendly (bumblebees), drought tolerant, deer resistant, unique ornamental seed heads, and fire resistant.