Is Cup plant invasive?

Is Cup plant invasive?

Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) is an herbaceous perennial plant in the sunflower family that is native to the central plains of North America, though found to be invasive outside of its historic habitat.

What are cup plants good for?

Cup Plant especially is full of nutritious seeds to sustain the birds that stay the winter with us. The stem is also hollow and sturdy and many beneficial insects will overwinter in the stems. Those are the two times we dig dormant plants for sale as bare roots.

How do you take care of a cup plant?

Although cup plants are extremely hardy, six to eight hours of full sun is recommended for optimal growth. If full sun isn’t available, the cup plant can thrive in partial sun, too. If you live in a colder zone, consider planting your cup plants in a spot with full sun and little to no wind.

Why is cup plant called cup plant?

Its common name (Cup Plant) comes from the characteristic where two large leaves join together at its thick stalk, forming a cup. This cup can hold rainwater, and is thought to possibly be an evolutionary trap for insects trying to climb the plant to eat the flowers.

Is cup plant aggressive?

Cup plant attracts many visitors, including honey bees, bumble bees, and big showy butterflies. While it doesn’t hold water like cup plant, it is less aggressive, is similarly attractive to pollinators, and is especially relished by some of our smaller solitary bees.

Can cup plant be divided?

Silphium perfoliatum CareProvide moist, moderately rich, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil for best results, but plants are fairly adaptable. PropagationSow ripe seeds. Divide in spring.

Are cup plants weeds?

When it comes to growing cup plants, information online is limited. Since some growers may consider the planting to be a weed, it may not be found in garden centers. However, the seed can be purchased online. Plants that have been grown from seed will not bloom until at least the second year of growth.

Does cup plant need full sun?

Cup Plant needs full sun and is easily propagated by seed collected in late-September and October. Being tolerant of wet conditions, this is perfect match for a rain garden or wet sites. With the ability to grow to 8′ tall, Cup Plant has the power to over-crowd a smaller perennial garden.

Is Cup flower a perennial?

Flowers: Yellow daisy- or sunflower-like flowers to three inches across appear in midsummer and can continue to autumn. Foliage: Large leaves that can hold water, hence the name cup plant. Habit: Herbaceous perennial to eight feet tall and three feet wide.

Is cup plant a perennial?

Cup plant, or Silphium perfoliatum, is a native flowering plant found in most parts of the eastern United States. Reaching heights of up to 8 feet (2.5 m.), this bright yellow perennial flower is a welcome addition to gardens for its attractiveness to bees and other beneficial insects.

Is the cup plant edible?

Cup plant can escape extreme cold conditions during dormancy in the winter and grow well during extreme warm weather in the summer. The seeds are also edible, but can be consumed rather quickly by songbirds in late summer and early fall.

Can I transplant a Cup Plant?

Habitat: Cup Plant has an extensive root system with a tap root and near surface rhizomes and does not transplant well except when very young. It grows best in full sun with wet to moderate moisture.

What is the common name for a cup plant?

COMMON NAMES: Cup-plant, Indian cup-plant, Ragged cup. Botanical Source.—This plant has a perennial, horizontal, pitted rhizome, beset with radicles, and a large, smooth, square, herbaceous stem, 4 to 7 feet high, and often branched above.

Is Cup plant native to Minnesota?

In Canada it is known in Ontario and Quebec. Cup Plant is one of two Silphiums native to Minnesota, the other is Compass Plant, S. laciniatum. It can become weedy and invasive in certain areas. Connecticut has banned the plant but it is not controlled in Minnesota.

Is a cup plant right for your garden?

Although the cup plant can appear weed-like to some gardeners, its well-suited for prairies, wildflower gardens, naturalized areas, or bordering a stream or pond.

What is the best time of year for Cup plants?

Known for their yellow blooms, coarse leaves, and super long stems, cup plants attract butterflies, birds, bees, and other beneficial insects throughout the growing season, or July through September. Pollinators are attracted to their large, bright blooms, while birds enjoy to eat the plants’ nutritious seeds.