How much sun does Old-man's-whiskers need?

Old-man's-whiskers grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Old-man's-whiskers bloom?

Old-man's-whiskers blooms in April, May, and June.

Where is Old-man's-whiskers native?

Old-man's-whiskers (Geum triflorum) is native to AZ, CA, CO, IA and 15 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Old-man's-whiskers attract?

Old-man's-whiskers draws bumble bees.

Old-man's-whiskers

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Geum triflorum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Old-man's-whiskers (Geum triflorum) is a perennial forb native to AZ, CA, CO, IA and 15 more states. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bumble bees.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

6"–18" H × 9"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, IA and 15 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Great Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area Southeastern Wisconsin Till Plains Central Corn Belt Plains

A low prairie plant with soft ferny foliage and nodding dusty-pink flowers that never fully open, followed by silky feathered seed plumes that give it a smoky look for weeks. It is drought-tolerant and long-lived.

Growing Old-man's-whiskers

Grow Old-man's-whiskers in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 18 inches tall and spread 9 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Nodding closed flowers are worked almost exclusively by queen bumble bees emerging in early spring.

Common questions

How much sun does Old-man's-whiskers need?: Old-man's-whiskers grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Old-man's-whiskers bloom?: Old-man's-whiskers blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Old-man's-whiskers native?: Old-man's-whiskers (Geum triflorum) is native to AZ, CA, CO, IA and 15 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Old-man's-whiskers attract?: Old-man's-whiskers draws bumble bees.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Old-man's-whiskers? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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