If you’re looking for a magnificent specimen for the sunny landscape, look no further than the Missouri native Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum. From a cluster of massive 2′ deep green leaves that look almost tropical, majestic 8-10′ tall, almost leafless stems arise. The giant stems are topped with 3″ yellow daisies in summer. It works well in the back of the border or up front, where its giant leaves can show off. Although it grows tall, it only grows 1-3′ wide. An excellent native that works well in wildflower, cottage and butterfly gardens. Goldfinch adore its seeds.

A plant with a long taproot, Prairie Dock is slow to establish and does not like to be moved. Once settled in, It is drought-tolerant and long-lived. It flowers from July to September. Native to limestone prairies and glades, it tolerates drought, and its foliage is rarely bothered by disease. It prefers full sun.