Melinda Myers

Prairie Dock

Botanical Name

Silphium terebinthinaceum

Min Zone

4

Max Zone

8

Height

3 to 10 feet

Width

1 to 3 feet

Flowers

Summer: bright yellow, sunflower-like

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Tolerates poor soils and is drought tolerant once established
• Tolerates light shade
• Tall flower stems don't require support, but often lean
• Because of long taproot, transplanting once established is not recommemded
• Slow to establish, but very long lived in the garden
• Bumble bees and native bees are attracted to prairie dock
• Birds, such as goldfinches, feast on the seeds