Create Your Garden

Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock)

Prairie Rosinweed, Prairie Dock, Prairie Burdock, Turpentine, Turpentine Weed

Silphium terebinthinaceum, Prairie Rosinweed, Prairie Dock, Prairie Burdock, Prairie Rosinweed, Turpentine, Turpentine Weed, Yellow Flowers, Yellow Perennials

Noted for its spectacular foliage and profuse blooms, Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) is a tall herbaceous perennial forming a basal rosette of huge, oblong to heart-shaped, dark green leaves, up to 2 ft. long (60 cm). From midsummer to mid-fall, sturdy, upright, branching stems bear a profusion of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm). The flowers resemble small sunflowers with their yellow rays surrounding a yellow central disk. The blossoms are followed by large seeds that are favored by birds. This species is also commonly called Prairie Rosinweed because its stems exude a gummy, bitter resin when broken or cut. Prairie Dock is a great choice for prairies or other natural plantings.

  • Grows up to 5-9 ft. tall (150-270 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). Will self-sow prolifically.
  • Performs best in full sun in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor soils. The flower stalks can be floppy in shady conditions
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Great for prairies or meadows, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, and beds and borders.
  • Propagate by sowing unstratified seed in fall or stratified seed in spring.
  • Native to central North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Silphium
Common names Turpentine, Prairie Dock
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 10'
(90cm - 3m)
Spread 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Midwest, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Silphium to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Silphium integrifolium (Wholeleaf Rosinweed)
Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant)
Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant)

Recommended Companion Plants

Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)
Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower)
Dalea purpurea (Purple Prairie Clover)
Oligoneuron rigidum (Stiff Goldenrod)
Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant)
Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting Star)
Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox)
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.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Silphium
Common names Turpentine, Prairie Dock
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 10'
(90cm - 3m)
Spread 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Midwest, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Silphium to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Silphium terebinthinaceum (Prairie Dock) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone