Cupplant is one of the best wildflowers for attracting birds - offering food, water and cover.

A magnificent native perennial that can easily reach 10 feet tall, Silphium perfoliatum is excellent in the back of the border garden, filling up a sunny corner of the yard, or along a fence for privacy. The spreading rhizomes may be too aggressive for a small garden, so choose a spot where it has room to spread.

A riot of bright yellow flowers, 2 – 3 inches across, bloom in late summer to support an array of pollinators.

As the name implies, the clasping leaves form “cups” along the strong square stem that catch rainwater.

In fall, Goldfinches descend upon the plants to devour the seeds.

Plant the seeds in the fall.

The cupplant seeds were harvested from River’s Edge Farm, a climate resilient, carbon neutral, zero waste, pollinator supporting regenerative organic mini farm in the Hudson Valley, in upstate New York. More information available on its page on Instagram