Silphium terebinthinaceum

Also Known As

Prairie Dock

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 7'-10'
W: 3'-6'

planting zones

4a-10b

More Options

Silphium terebinthinaceum plant details

Silphium terebinthinaceum is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In fall and summer yellow flowers emerge. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Silphium terebinthinaceum

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 3 FT - 6 FT - wide, 7 FT - 10 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in fall and summer
Uses: cottage garden, cutting garden, floriferous, long-blooming

GROWING CONDITIONS for Silphium terebinthinaceum

USDA Zones: 4a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: rich

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

With leaves like elephant ears and flowers literally as high as an elephant's eye, Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) is a truly unique plant! Sunflower-like blooms appear on giant stalks for a month or longer. Very long-lived, individual plants can flourish for decades. Birds love the seeds! Hardy to Zones 4 - 7.

By: Prairie Nursery

This might just be my favorite species of silphium. The leaves of the basal rosette are massive, 18 inches long and a foot across, and incredibly cool looking. and then a leafless flower stem shoots up to as much as 10 feet. With a tap root that can reach as far as 12 feet into the soil, this thing is incredibly drought tolerant once established. Love it. Native to the eastern US. Zone 4

By: Arrowhead Alpines

Such a fun & magnificent perennial Sunflower. Why? Cause it’s so tall and vertical, has such large & beautiful leaves and well, Silphiums are from the mid-west & we think they’re just so exotic here in California! Growing 6’-8’ with upright leafless branching stems, “Prairie Rosinweed” displays happy-sunny 3” single blooms from late Summer thru October. Forming a basal rosette, the unusually large & beautiful leaves are up to 2’ long, sort of shaped like elephant ears & grow upright from the ground. A choice & striking “statement” perennial! And a good habitat plant too as it attracts birds & butterflies. Best show in rich moist soil, though it does tolerate drought.