Scientific Name
Geum triflorum Pursh
Common Name(s)
Prairie Smoke, Three-flowered Avens, Old Man's Whiskers
Synonym(s)
Geum triflorum var. triflorum, Geum triflorum f. triflorum, Erythrocoma grisea, Erythrocoma triflora, Geum ciliatum var. griseum, Sieversia grisea, Sieversia triflora
Scientific Classification
Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Rosoideae
Tribe: Colurieae
Genus: Geum
Flower
Color: Cream to yellowish and red
Bloom Time: Spring
Description
Geum triflorum is a perennial herbaceous plant with pinnately divided leaves with 7 to 17 primary leaflets. A few smaller secondary leaflets are also inserted between some of the primary leaflets. They are semi-evergreen and arranged in a rosette at ground level. Some basal leaves remain over the winter and often turn reddish-purple.
In spring, the flowers appear on short, reddish to purple-tinged, up to 16 inches (40 cm) tall stems arranged in umbels of 3 to 5 flowers. At the base of the umbel are leaf-like green to reddish-purple bracts. While blooming, the flowers nod downwards and remain mostly closed and bud-like, except for a tiny opening at the bottom. The five petals are cream-colored to yellowish, suffused with pink or purple, but mostly covered by the five red sepals. Between the sepals are five narrow bractlets. Pollinated flowers turn upwards and open up. The pistils in the middle of the flower develop into heads of seeds with long fuzzy hairs that point upwards.
How to Grow and Care
Geums flower best in a sunny position with average garden water. However, in hot climates, afternoon shade is essential to keep the plants from being scorched. Good drainage is also important, as Geum is subject to root rot in wet conditions. Otherwise, they are very adaptable to different soil types.
Geum is easily grown by seed sown indoors six to eight weeks before the average date of the last frost. However, improved cultivars are readily available in garden centers, so most gardeners start them as transplants. Plant them in good garden soil that has been enriched with compost. They are not considered drought-tolerant and will need weekly water throughout their life.
It's important to note that Geums are short-lived perennials that require division every few years to renew the patch. Otherwise, they will naturally decline and disappear.
Geums are generally grown as front-of-the-border plants where their low foliage and bright flowers make a cheerful edging to flower beds. Since it is a small plant, masses of one variety are very effective, though they can also be interspersed with other small-statured annuals and perennials for a cottage garden look. Geums are also excellent in potted arrangements and make great cut flowers.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Geum.
Origin
Geum triflorum is native to North America (from northern Canada to California and east to New York).
Links
- Back to genus Geum
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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