This perennialwildfloweris native to North American prairies.
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.
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.
Soil
Prairie smoke isn’t overly fussy about itssoil key in.
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.
Mature prairie smoke plants like moist conditions during spring growth.
But they prefer drier conditions once summer arrives.
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.
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 withorganic matter.
it’s possible for you to 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.
The stalks can be cut back after the flowers are done blooming to tidy up the plant’s appearance.
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 canpropagate it by division.
Besides providing you with new plants, the division also can help to renew a mature plant’s vigor.
Plant seeds outdoors in the fall.
Or start seeds indoors in the late winter, beginning with a four- to six-weekstratificationperiod.
Then, plant them in a seed-starting mix, and keep the growing medium lightly moist as seedlings develop.
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 asphlox.
Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering than garden plants.Check the moisture leveldaily during the summer.
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 requirewinterization.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Generally, prairie smoke is a fuss-free plant with very few problems.
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.
This is of special concern in areas prone to long, wet winters.
The plant will also produce flowers on stems reaching heights of 12-18 inches.
It can take up to 60 days for the seeds to begin to sprout.
Geum (Avens).North Carolina State Extension Plant Guide.
