The Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is a perennial wildflower that is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and is native to North America.
This plant produces large, yellow, daisy-like flowers that measure 3-4 inches in diameter, featuring 18-40 rays surrounding a darker central disk. The flowers grow in branched clusters at the ends of the plant's stems and bloom showily from July to September. Although the blooms are not fragrant, they serve as an essential source of nectar and pollen. The Cup Plant is generally not considered a good cut flower, but it attracts valuable wildlife, including bees, butterflies, flies, and birds. It is also a host plant for various butterfly and moth species.
Cup Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and typically reaches a mature height of 6-8 feet, with a spread of 1-4 feet. It prefers average garden soil that is moist to wet but well-drained. The dried seed cones provide excellent texture for dried floral arrangements.
Large, distinctive, square, hairless stems characterize the plant. Its unlobed leaves clasp the stem, forming a cup that collects rainwater for birds to drink. The seed heads are an excellent food source for goldfinches. Cup Plant has a deep taproot and an extensive network of shallow rhizomes, making it difficult to transplant.
Good companion plants for Cup Plant include Joe Pye weed, New England aster, and black cherry tree. To propagate, you can sow seeds in the fall. While the plant is deer-resistant, young seedlings may be susceptible to nibbling by rabbits, though mature plants are generally safe.
Historically, Native Americans and early settlers used the Cup Plant for medicinal purposes. It is being explored as a potential biofuel and feed crop in modern times.
The Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is a perennial wildflower that is hardy in USDA zones 3-9 and is native to North America.
This plant produces large, yellow, daisy-like flowers that measure 3-4 inches in diameter, featuring 18-40 rays surrounding a darker central disk. The flowers grow in branched clusters at the ends of the plant's stems and bloom showily from July to September. Although the blooms are not fragrant, they serve as an essential source of nectar and pollen. The Cup Plant is generally not considered a good cut flower, but it attracts valuable wildlife, including bees, butterflies, flies, and birds. It is also a host plant for various butterfly and moth species.
Cup Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and typically reaches a mature height of 6-8 feet, with a spread of 1-4 feet. It prefers average garden soil that is moist to wet but well-drained. The dried seed cones provide excellent texture for dried floral arrangements.
Large, distinctive, square, hairless stems characterize the plant. Its unlobed leaves clasp the stem, forming a cup that collects rainwater for birds to drink. The seed heads are an excellent food source for goldfinches. Cup Plant has a deep taproot and an extensive network of shallow rhizomes, making it difficult to transplant.
Good companion plants for Cup Plant include Joe Pye weed, New England aster, and black cherry tree. To propagate, you can sow seeds in the fall. While the plant is deer-resistant, young seedlings may be susceptible to nibbling by rabbits, though mature plants are generally safe.
Historically, Native Americans and early settlers used the Cup Plant for medicinal purposes. It is being explored as a potential biofuel and feed crop in modern times.
