I would like to plant three of these in a small group along the border of the sheep planting area. They are available through the Berrien County Conservation District. Grown in full sun, they get 6-12 inches mature height and bloom April-June. Hardy in zones 3-6, they are a deer resistant, drought-tolerant perennial. Tolerates light shade and prefers some afternoon shade in hot summers.

Native plants support our important pollinating insects, help stabilize the soil with their deep roots, and provide beauty. Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) is a distinctive prairie wildflower with irresistible pink feathery seed heads. Each flowering stem holds three nodding pink bell-shaped flowers. Once the flowers are fertilized, the real show begins as the nodding blooms transform into upright clusters of wispy reddish pink to purple plumes. A massed planting creates a pinkish haze that can last for a month. The basal leaves are fern-like and deeply serrated with hairy margins. While not truly evergreen, the leaves can persist through winter, turning attractive shades of red and crimson. Plants spread slowly by rhizome to form a groundcover and are perfectly suited for dry rock gardens. Prairie Smoke is also effective planted in groups in a perennial bed, but it does not like to be overcrowded by taller perennials. Excellent for hot dry spots, it thrives in any well-drained soil.