Geum triflora - Prairie Smoke
3/26/2025 9:40 am
I was immediately hooked when I saw Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke) in full bloom at Georgia Perimeter College's garden. It was facing west, getting the fullest sun imaginable. I had to have it. It isn't the first, nor the last time this happened. (I have the dead plants to prove it.)
As a rock gardener, I could not deny the charms of its flowers, its ferny foliage and demure size. The fact that I don't have a prairie did not dissuade me. Yes, Geum triflorum is native to the Northern U.S., particularly prairies as the common name suggests. It is not native anywhere close to Georgia. Indeed, some authorities say it is a Zone 3-7 plant. Tosh.
Geum triflorum is a small plant, eventually getting to a maximum size of about 1 1/2 feet high by wide. The crisp pink flowers are charming and darling, even if they are only about 1/2 to 3/4 inch big. To most folks, the real "show" is after the flowers are done and the fruiting heads follow. Per Missouri Botanical Garden: "As the flower fades and the seeds begin to form, the styles elongate (to 2" long) to form upright, feathery gray tails which collectively resemble a plume or feather duster, all of which has given rise to a large number of regional descriptive common names for this plant such as torch flower, long-plumed purple avens, prairie smoke, lion's beard and old man's whiskers." In other words, it is otherworldly looking!
Photo from iNaturalist
Photo courtesy of Digging Dog Nursery
Growing Geum triflorum in the south involves a couple of challenges. The first is too much moisture. I remember back to the spiel we gave as docents in the Conservatory at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, showing how much rain we get here compared to the Rain Forest. For all we complain about droughts, Atlanta gets quite a lot of rainfall annually - nearly 50". When this rain comes and how we get it is what presents the problem to gardeners. Rain often comes in multiple inches at once and winter can be quite wet. Sitting in wetness over winter can ruin Geum triflorum by causing root rot. Sitting in wetness over the rest of the year won't help this prairie plant either.
Second, supposedly Geum triflorum, prefers cool summers. I have not found this to be an issue for plants kept in full sun (of which I have little). In full sun, Geum triflorum,will fully bloom before spring is over. If kept in partial sun, it may never bloom, however. The pretty foliage will persist, however. That said, it can survive and maybe even thrive in the right spots and culture in metro Atlanta. After many years, I think I have finally cracked the code for growing it -- at least in one location!
Geum triflorum is best grown in dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Anything short of that will yield disappointing results. Rock gardens are an excellent choice for this plant, with their poor soil and excellent drainage. This can be replicated in a container too, by using sharp stone like Permatill as the primary medium. To enjoy the flowers and fruit best, elevating a trough or container higher would be ideal. Just be sure to also use pot feet underneath so the container can drain on whatever surface lies beneath. FYI: Geum triflorum bears flowers in clusters of three, in case you wondered about the Latin name (triflorum = three flowers).
If you succeed and get Geum triflorum to bloom, it will gently self sow nearby. Since it is hard to find in our area, consider sharing it with a friend who has full sun and likes a bit of a challenge.
Contributed by Liane Schleifer
