prairie smoke
Geum triflorum
prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 18 in tall and 9–12 in wide, needs medium to high water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; ignitability rating 8.0/10.
Colorado nativeOn the CSFS firewise listmedium to high water18 in tall and 9–12 in wideZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Alan Covington, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: Walter Siegmund (talk), Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Alison Northup, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- medium to high water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 18 in tall and 9–12 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8–12 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Bloom color
- pink, red
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is prairie smoke good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, prairie smoke is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does prairie smoke get?
- It matures to about 18 in tall and 9–12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant prairie smoke?
- Space prairie smoke about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is prairie smoke hardy on the Front Range?
- prairie smoke is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does prairie smoke need?
- It needs medium to high water once established.
- Is prairie smoke native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is prairie smoke deer-resistant?
- prairie smoke is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is prairie smoke a good firewise plant near the house?
- prairie smoke is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does prairie smoke bloom?
- prairie smoke blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
