Description

Geum triflorum, most commonly called Prairie Smoke but also known as  Three-Flowered Avens or Old Man’s Whiskers,  is a spring perennial native  prairie wildflower.  The silky, flowing styles of the fruiting stage of Prairie Smoke, never fail to win admirers at first sight.  When setting seed, large stands of the plant create a gauzy effect that resembles smoke hovering close to the ground.  Blooming in spring to early summer, Prairie Smoke will spread slowly from its roots in well-drained, dry to medium-wet soils.  It prefers full to partial sun and has a native range from the northern tier of the US through most of Canada thus growing well in zones 3-9.

Propagation by seed is fairly simple: fall plant the seed on a weed-free prepared site and allow to overwinter.  Expect germination in the  spring.  OR artificially cold, moist stratify (germination code C) the seed over the winter months in your fridge and plant in a greenhouse or outdoors on  a prepared site in the spring.  Allow 2 growing seasons to flower.  Divide roots in the early spring or fall to aid the plant in spreading more quickly.

Some Plateau Indian tribes used Prairie Smoke to treat tuberculosis.