compass plant

Garden uses

Attracts

Notes

Compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) is a perennial for meadows, borders, and low maintenance perennial beds. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to moist, loamy or clay soil. It grows 3 to 9 feet tall and bears yellow, sunflower-like flowers along the top of a stout, sticky stem. The deeply cut leaves usually orient themselves north and south. Birds and small mammals favor the large seeds, and a deep taproot makes the plant slow to grow but long-lived.

Pairs well with Pale purple coneflower, Nodding onion, and Fragrant sumac.

Native range

Central North America.