On this Monday, I will write about the last of the Silphium species in this series, Prairie Dock, Silphium terebinthinaceum. This is an unusual plant with wide basal leaves up to 2-3 feet high which can be ice cold to the touch on a hot summer day. And then there are the flower stalks up to around 9 feet. Think about this survival strategy - broad leaves near the bottom to capture sunlight amongst the grasses and flowers up high above all other prairie vegetation to facilitate pollination from July through September. Just genius!

Found in prairies and similar grassy habitats (even conspicuous along roadsides), fens, and railroad embankments. In the landscape, plant it in medium moisture sand, loam, or clay soils in full to part sun. Give it 24 inches of space. Good height for the rear of the border. Also excellent for naturalizing in prairies, cottage gardens, or wildflower gardens. Deer resistant, but I can attest to its new shoots not being bunny resistant in the spring.