Three-flowered Avens (Old Man's Whiskers, Prairie Smoke)
Geum Triflorum
Family:
Rose family - Rosaceae
In June and July, the massed seed-heads give the effect of a pinkish, smoky haze over the prairies where these plants grow, giving rise to their other common name, Prairie Smoke.
Meadow / Grassland garden
Rock garden
Fall colour
Early season star
Clumping
Details
Emerges
May
Seed collection
Flowers
May, June
Pink
July, August, September, October
Height
20
-
60
cm
Lifecycle
Perennial
Width
30
-
60
cm
Habit
Forbs
Mat-forming
Herbaceous
Ecology
Supports
Bees
Providing
Nectar source
Also called "Old Man's Whiskers" due to the wispy white seed heads on individual plants, and "Prairie Smoke", because in large groups the multiple seed heads resemble smoke hovering over the prairie.
Habitat
Typically found in
prairie, open woods
In the Garden
Growing Conditions
Moisture
Average
Light
Full sun
Soil
Average garden soil
Propagation
Via
Seeds
Division
Sowing Recommendations
Sow seeds uncovered
Fall planting
High or easy germination
Landscape
Use for:
Accent plant
Naturalization
Mass planting
Growing Tips
Thrives in an average to dry, well-drained soil, in full sun to partial shade. Tolerates periods of drought, once established.
Description
Is a destinctive prairie plant features reddish-pink, nodding, bowel-shaped flowers in late spring, which are followed by elongated seed heads 5 cm long, forming upright silvery-pink tails. Foliage is fern-like and the leaves remail attractive during the entire season. In the fall the leaves turn a deep red.