Cup Plant
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is a bold, moisture-loving native perennial that offers striking height, wildlife support, and architectural foliage, perfect for wildlife gardens, rain gardens, and naturalized backdrops, where its towering form and summer blooms create a powerful visual and ecological presence.
Named for its distinctive leaves, which form a cup around the square stem, Cup Plant collects rainwater at each leaf joint, offering natural drinking stations for birds and insects. In mid-summer through early fall, it sends up clusters of large, bright yellow flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Reaching up to 8 feet tall, this vigorous grower is best suited for spacious plantings and areas where it can spread and naturalize over time. Its strong, upright stems add vertical interest, and its flowers provide a burst of sunny color during the high season.
Why Choose Cup Plant?
- Unique leaf cups – Catch rainwater for birds and insects.
- Dramatic late-summer blooms – Bright yellow flowers attract pollinators.
- Perfect for big spaces – Ideal for wildlife gardens and naturalized plantings.
Plant Cup Plant in full sun and moist, rich soil to enjoy a long-lived, statement-making native that nourishes pollinators and shelters wildlife while transforming your garden.
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage additional flowering and prevent excessive spread through seeding.
- Divide in spring or autumn every few years to maintain vigor and control spread.
- Provide support for tall stems in exposed areas to prevent them from falling over in strong winds.
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