Alphabetical Plant Listing

Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant)

Cup Plant, Indian Cup, Cup Rosin Weed


Very architectural, Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant) is an upright perennial with tall, sturdy, squarish stems clad with paired, oval leaves joined around the stem to form a small cup that holds water and attracts birds. Blooming for 4-6 weeks in midsummer to early fall, branched sprays of deep yellow daisies, 3 in. across (7 cm), adorned with 20-30 yellow rays surrounding a darker yellow central disk, can be enjoyed. Cup Plant attracts many visitors, including honey bees, bumblebees, and big showy butterflies. The flowers are followed by seeds that are favored by birds. Cup Plant blackens after a freeze and remains erect even in death, providing an architectural presence into winter. This species is also commonly called Cup Rosin Weed because its stems exude a gummy, bitter resin when broken or cut. Silphium perfoliatum is an impressive plant suitable for the back of a border and a great choice for prairies or other natural plantings.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 4-8 ft. tall (120-240 cm) and 1-3 ft. wide (30-90 cm). Self-sows prolifically. The root system consists of a central taproot, and abundant shallow rhizomes that help to spread the plant, often forming large colonies.
  • Performs best in full sun in average, medium to wet, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, rich soils, but tolerates some drought once established.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Great for prairies or meadows, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens and beds and borders.
  • Propagate by seed. Sow unstratified seeds in fall or stratified seeds in spring.
  • Silphium perfoliatum has become invasive in New England where it has been introduced.
  • Native to eastern North America.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Silphium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm)
Spread 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Clay Soil, Drought, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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By Augenstern, Ihor Hvozdetskyi, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Silphium
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 4' – 8' (120cm – 240cm)
Spread 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma
Tolerance Clay Soil, Drought, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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