Geum triflorum, commonly known as Barren Strawberry, is a perennial herb native to Europe to Asia. It is particularly adapted to the temperate grasslands and open forests of the continent, thriving in well-drained soils. This plant exhibits a moderate growth rate and typically reaches a height of 0.5-1.5 feet (0.15-0.45 meters) with a similar spread. Prairie Smoke is notable for its feathery, smoke-like seed heads and nodding pink to red flowers that bloom in the late spring to early summer. The flowers are quite showy and give way to distinctive seed heads that resemble a puff of smoke or an old man’s whiskers.

Prairie Smoke is valued for its unique flower and seed head display, making it a popular choice for rock gardens, native plant gardens, and borders. It is also used for naturalizing in wildflower meadows. This plant is relatively low-maintenance, requiring medium amounts of water and thriving in full sun to part shade. It prefers medium-draining loam or clay soils. While it is generally disease-resistant, it can occasionally suffer from rust or leaf spot. Prairie Smoke is not known for aggressive roots or significant pest problems. It is, however, important to avoid overwatering, as it does not tolerate wet feet.CC BY-SA 4.0