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Compass Plant

Silphium laciniatum
SKU: HC017874
$13.99
per Plant - 2.5" Pot
Shipping:
No longer available this season.
Overview
A Great Plains native, Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) is a tough, long-lived prairie wildflower that loves lots of sun, with summer flowers that seem to climb the towering stem. A must-have for habitat gardens, the flowers are highly attractive to native bees, while the fall ripening seeds are a favorite of seed-eating songbirds. Highly drought resistant once established, Compass Plants can live for decades.
key features
Botanical Name
Silphium laciniatum
Growing Zones
Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Advantages
Native, Bee Friendly, Attracts Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Naturalizes, Mass Plantings
Soil Moisture
Waterwise, Moist / Wet
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Mature Height
5-9' tall
Bloom Time
Late summer to early fall
SKU
HC017874

Description

Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) is a tough, tall-growing wildflower that pushes up a robust spike of loosely spaced yellow flowers. The large coarse leaves of this prairie plant generally point in a North-South direction, thus its common name, Compass Plant. It loves lots of sun and grows best in well drained soils; no heavy clay. Deeply tap-rooted, this is a very waterwise (xeric) plant once established in the garden. When growing in rich soils with plenty of water, Compass Plants can reach their full potential to grow over 8 feet tall, and in the right conditions, plants can live for decades. This long-lived plant may take a few seasons to reach maturity and full flowering. Compass Plant is a must-have for low-maintenance gardens and restoring lost prairie habitat. This is a good plant for meadows and naturalized gardens, and it grows well mixed with native grasses and other wildflowers. Recommended companion plants include Big Bluestem Grass (Andropogon), Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium), and Prairie Sage (Salvia azurea).

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