prairie dock

Prairie dock should be watered deeply but infrequently. It prefers moist soil, but can tolerate periods of drought and should be watered when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Watering every 7-10 days is ideal. If soil is too wet, it can lead to root rot, so watering should be reduced in very wet, rainy weather. Remember, prairie dock is a wildflower and can handle some additional weathering and moisture fluctuations.

Prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) is well-suited to growing in sunny conditions. Although it will tolerate some shade, it prefers full sun for optimal growth. This sun-loving species of plant thrives in full sun for 6 to 8 hours per day but can tolerate up to 12 hours of direct sunlight. It’s best to give it morning sun, as the afternoon sun can be too hot and can cause the plant’s foliage to scorch. Sunlight intensity and heat vary depending on the season; for best results, avoid full sunlight during the heat of the day in summer, and provide more shade when temperatures drop in winter.

Prairie dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum) should be pruned yearly in late winter/early spring. Pruning should include removing any seed heads, dead or diseased branches, or any branches that are no longer thriving. In order to promote new growth, it is also recommended to trim back a few of the older branches to the ground. This will allow new shoots to develop from the dormant buds at the base of the plant. It is important to remember to sterilize any pruning shears after each use.