Compass Plant Seed

Silphium laciniatum

Item #1813

Perennial. A gigantic sentinel from the tallgrass prairie. Few perennials will grow so tall or provide more drama than this long lived wildflower. Right out of a fairy tale, the large leaves can be 3 feet long and often stand vertically pointing north and south, giving the plant its common name. Songbirds love the big seeds that ripen in fall. In rich soil with abundant moisture, the stems can reach 9' tall. Plants endure tremendous heat and drought once established.

Perennial

Full sun

Blooms
midsummer to late summer

4' – 9'

Days to Emerge:
14 – 30 days

Seed Depth:
1/4"

Seed Spacing:
A group of
8 seeds
every 12"

Thinning:
When 2" tall,
thin to 1
every 12"

When to sow outside: RECOMMENDED. In fall for germination the following spring.

When to start inside: Not recommended.

Special germination instructions: Seed needs a cold treatment of 2 to 4 months before germination. See inside of packet for detailed information.

Artist: Constance Sayas