Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant)

Slow-growing, long-lived and  eye-catching, Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant) is a tall, coarse perennial with stiff and sturdy, erect, hairy stems adorned with brilliant yellow daisy flowers, 5 in. across (12 cm), scattered along their top half. Blooming in midsummer to early fall, the flowers resemble small sunflowers with their yellow rays surrounding a yellow central disk. Reminiscent of pin oak leaves, the basal foliage of large, deeply cut, hairy leaves, up to 2 ft. in length (60 cm), usually orients itself north and south to avoid the heat of the midday sun, hence the common name. Attractive to butterflies and birds, the flowers are followed by large seeds that are favored by birds and small mammals. Native Americans used the gummy, bitter resin from broken stems as a mouth cleansing chewing gum. Silphium laciniatum is a stout perennial for the back of the perennial border and a great choice for prairie reconstructions or other natural plantings.

• Grows up to 5-9 ft. tall (150-270 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Great for prairies or meadows, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens and beds and borders.
• Propagate by seed. Seedlings take 2-3 years to flower. Sow unstratified seed in spring or stratified in fall. Compass Plant has a large taproot that may reach down 15 ft (450 cm), making division difficult.
• Native to central North America.