Prairie Smoke

Few plants are as charismatic as Prairie Smoke, with its long-lasting blooms and plumes having given rise to a plethora of common names, including Old Man’s Whiskers, Lion’s Beard, and Torch Flower, to name a few. Prairie Smoke is a native wildflower found in prairies, mountain meadows, and dry open woodlands throughout the northern reaches of the United States, from New York west through northern Illinois, the Dakotas, and sporadically through the West, as well as southern Canada. Plants naturalize readily in dry, well-draining soils in full sun. Prairie Smoke performs best in cool, dry locations in hardiness zones 3-7. Plants tolerate some shade, especially in hotter areas, and can tolerate moderate moisture only if they have good drainage; plants can die out under wet winter conditions.