How to Grow and Care for Prairie Smoke

Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) adds interest to a garden bed from early spring through to fall. This perennial wildflower is native to North American prairies. It gets its name from the long, wispy, feather-like achenes (seed heads) that develop during the summer. With their pinkish shades, they create an impression of puffs of smoke remaining on the plant for several weeks. The small, pink, bud-like flowers may not be as impressive as the achenes, but they still add a splash of color to the garden in the spring. And during the fall, the foliage takes on purplish, reddish, and orange hues and then turns to a burgundy shade during winter. 

Prairie smoke has a moderate growth rate, and clumps of it will slowly spread via rhizomes (underground stems). It can be planted in the spring or fall. 

Prairie Smoke Care

Prairie smoke is a versatile, low-maintenance perennial. It can tolerate various soil types, provided there is good drainage. It doesn't require deadheading or needs much in the way of watering. And it is even fairly drought tolerant during the summer. In addition, prairie smoke doesn't usually have any serious issues with pests or diseases, and deer tend to leave it alone. It is known to attract butterflies to the garden.

Because it can cope with gravelly, dry conditions, prairie smoke works well in a rock garden. It's also ideal for a native plant garden. However, because it isn't the largest of plants, make sure to position it where it will not get overshadowed by more vigorous and larger species.

Light

Prairie smoke appreciates a growing site with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, some shade from the strong afternoon sun at the height of summer can be beneficial for overall plant health.

Soil

Prairie smoke isn't overly fussy about its soil type. In this wildflower's native habitat, it is commonly found in sandy and gravelly soils. It also can grow in loamy and clay soils, as long as there is good drainage. It prefers a fairly neutral soil pH.

Water

Young prairie smoke plants need considerably more moisture than well-established specimens. They like evenly moist but not soggy conditions in the spring, and they should be watered at least weekly during hot summer weather.

Mature prairie smoke plants like moist conditions during spring growth. But they prefer drier conditions once summer arrives. You won't have to provide supplemental water unless you have unseasonably hot weather and/or a long stretch without rainfall. Prairie smoke plants should never be waterlogged, including over the winter. This can result in root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

This species tends to thrive in mild climates. It can still survive in hot, dry locations, but you might find that the leaves don't look as healthy during the summer months. However, the plant typically will perk up again as the summer heat becomes less intense. Moreover, prairie smoke isn't a fan of high humidity. In humid climates, it's extra important to ensure that the soil is well-drained.

Fertilizer

Prairie smoke can grow just fine in lean soils. But it will grow larger in soils that are enriched with organic matter. If you have lean soil, it can be helpful to mix some compost in at the time of planting. You can continue to add a light layer of compost each spring. Not only will this feed the plants, but it also will help to improve soil drainage.

Types of Geum

Prairie smoke belongs to the genus Geum, common name avens, which comprises about 50 species. Some of them are native to North America, including:

• Geum aleppicum (Yellow avens) is a perennial wildflower that blooms yellow in the summer.
• Geum canadense (White avens) is a groundcover with white flowers in late spring.
• Geum macrophylluym (Large-leaf geum) is very similar to yellow avens but has differently shaped basal leaves.

Pruning

Prairie Smoke requires little to no pruning. The stalks can be cut back after the flowers are done blooming to tidy up the plant's appearance. After a growing season is complete and/or just before the next cycle begins, brown or dead leaves can be removed, but this is more for aesthetic purposes than plant health.

Propagating Prairie Smoke

Prairie smoke often self-seeds and spreads underground. So it might do all the propagating work for you. But if you'd like to plant it in another location, you can propagate it by division. Besides providing you with new plants, the division also can help to renew a mature plant's vigor. Here is how it's done:

1. In the early spring or fall, dig up the entire clump of a mature plant with a shovel. Gently pull apart its roots, leaving as many intact as possible.
2. Replant the sections in new suitable locations, at the same depth as the original plant.
3. Water well and keep the soil evenly moist for the rest of the growing season.

How to Grow Prairie Smoke From Seed

Prairie smoke can be started from seed both outdoors and inside. Plant seeds outdoors in the fall. Or start seeds indoors in the late winter, beginning with a four- to six-week stratification period. Then, plant them in a seed-starting mix, and keep the growing medium lightly moist as seedlings develop. Once seedlings are a few inches high with an established root system, start bringing them outdoors for progressively longer stretches. After that, they will be ready to plant in the garden. 

Potting and Repotting

Prairie smoke is suitable to be grown in containers filled with potting mix. It is often used as a filler plant with taller, more eye-catching plants such as phlox. Choose a container large enough to accommodate all the plants without crowding, and make sure it has large drain holes, as prairie smoke does not like wet feet.

Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than garden plants. Check the moisture level daily during the summer.

Overwintering

Prairie smoke is winter hardy to USDA zone 3 and does not need any protection from the cold when grown in the landscape. In a container, however, its roots are exposed to frost, which can kill the plant. The pots should remain outdoors during the winter but they require winterization.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Generally, prairie smoke is a fuss-free plant with very few problems. It is pest-resistant and, while some leaves might get munched on by insects, an infestation is unlikely, as are any diseases.

How to Get Prairie Smoke to Bloom

If the plant isn't flowering, the cause might be insufficient sunlight. It will tolerate a bit of shade, but too much shade can significantly reduce flowering. Move it to a location where it gets the required minimum of six hours of sun daily.

Common Problems with Prairie Smoke

The one thing to watch out for is root rot if the plant isn't situated in well-drained soil and gets too moist. This is of special concern in areas prone to long, wet winters. If you notice the issue, the best course correction is to move the plant to an area with better drainage.