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skill rating
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Geum triflorum (Grandfather's beard)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.45m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Geum triflorum
Other names
Grandfather's beard, Lion's beard, Old man's whiskers, Prairie smoke, Purple avens, Torch flower, Long-plumed purple avens
Genus
Geum Geum
Species
G. triflorum - G. triflorum is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial forming of slowly-spreading clump of hairy, deeply-divided, blue-green leaves and, from late spring into summer, nodding, bowl-shaped, purple to reddish-pink flowers followed by upright, feathery silvery pink seed heads.
Geum triflorum is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Flower
Reddish pink, Purple in Spring; Reddish pink, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Sawflies Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Sawflies
General care
Pruning
Cut back old stems after flowering.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in winter.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Geum triflorum (Grandfather's beard) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, Rock
Cultivation
Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Best in areas with cool summers. Prefers some afternoon shade in hot summers. Tolerates moist but well-drained soil but avoid waterlogged soil in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Geum triflorum
Other names
Grandfather's beard, Lion's beard, Old man's whiskers, Prairie smoke, Purple avens, Torch flower, Long-plumed purple avens
Genus
Geum Geum
Species
G. triflorum - G. triflorum is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial forming of slowly-spreading clump of hairy, deeply-divided, blue-green leaves and, from late spring into summer, nodding, bowl-shaped, purple to reddish-pink flowers followed by upright, feathery silvery pink seed heads.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
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Colour
Flower
Reddish pink, Purple in Spring; Reddish pink, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Blue-green in Spring; Blue-green in Summer; Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Glasshouse red spider mite , Sawflies
General care
Pruning
Cut back old stems after flowering.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame in winter.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Geum triflorum (Grandfather's beard) will reach a height of 0.45m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance, Prairie planting, Rock
Cultivation
Grows best in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Best in areas with cool summers. Prefers some afternoon shade in hot summers. Tolerates moist but well-drained soil but avoid waterlogged soil in winter.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Geum triflorum (Grandfather's beard)
Common pest name
grape ground pearl
Scientific pest name
Margarodes vitis
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
5
General biosecurity comments
Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.
Defra's Risk register #2
Plant name
Geum triflorum (Grandfather's beard)
Common pest name
Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance
Scientific pest name
Hoplolaimus spp.
Type
Nematode
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
2
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
4
General biosecurity comments
Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.
Defra's Risk register #3
Plant name
Geum triflorum (Grandfather's beard)
Common pest name
Scientific pest name
Orgyia thyellina
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Polyphagous moth pest from Eastern Asia which could be damaging to broadleaf and coniferous species if introduced to the UK; as well as having human health impacts. The main pathway is likely to be on goods (including non-plant material) imported from Eastern Asia and awareness raising with the main industry sectors is recommended.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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