Plant Profile: Silphium terebinthinaceum

Prairie dock, a wildflower native to the aster family, thrives along roadsides and railways, as well as in prairies across the central United States, from Michigan down to Missouri. This plant can reach heights of 3 to 10 feet and showcases striking yellow flowers, resembling sunflowers, that bloom from July to September. Its leaves are coarse and grow vertically, aligned in a north-south orientation. Notably, the taproot can extend up to 14 feet deep. This species is beneficial for native bees, providing both nesting materials and shelter, thereby making it an excellent choice for attracting these pollinators to your garden.

Prairie dock flourishes in well-drained loamy soils that range from dry to moist, but it also adapts well to rocky or clay soils when exposed to full sunlight. It is best suited for the back of garden borders or in areas designated for naturalized and native plants. Although it may take some time to establish, this hardy perennial is long-lived and resilient.