← Back to Plant Finder

Prairie Smoke
Geum triflorum

a.k.a. Old Man's Whiskers

One of the first-blooming native prairie perennials, generally growing in clumps or patches. A very attractive ground cover well suited for edges. It is used in prairie restorations, rock gardens, and perennial gardens. The plant remains attractive throughout the year, and it attracts upland gamebirds and songbirds.

USDA symbol: GETR

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height1 foot
Light ExposurePart Sun, Shade
Soil MoistureDry
Bloom ColorPink
Prairie Smoke (Prairie Smoke<div><em class="small">Geum triflorum</em></div>)
Photo credit: Ecoscapes (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceLow
General Resilience4
Salt ToleranceMedium
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant, Fire Tolerant, General Disturbance

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom MonthsMay to June
Larval Host ofBees
Specific Pollinators HostedAndrena melanochroa
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Specialists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Rain Garden, Restoration, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAnoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Cass, Chippewa, Clay, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands