Name:   Geum triflorum aka Prairie Smoke

Type of Plant:   A native North American perennial that has interesting spring flowers that turn into fine seedheads. This plant is hardy in zones 3 to 7, and likes sunny areas.

Why I Love this Plant:  I value the early spring bloom time, the wispy seed heads and the low-growing, subtle nature of the plant. This makes it the perfect selection to place under shrubs or taller perennials. The seed heads can be picked once they look like hair, hung upside down and dried.

A Word to the Wise:  For the best show, plant these about a foot apart in groups of at least 5 or more. This plant grows well in common garden soil (amend with compost or mulch regularly, from the top down) and a once-a-week watering in times of drought.

If you have a slope or a garden area above a retaining wall, this is the perfect plant to place there where you can see it eye-to-eye.

If you have a place where you can plant these in an elevated position, you’ll be able to see them face to face.

These buds will explode into wispy, hair-like seed heads later. Once this happens I’ll post another photo. (Clearly, I got busy last June and didn’t capture the magic!)