Hi Ellenr, Silphium perfoliatum was one of the first perennials that I ws'd some 5 years ago. It is easy to start from seed and once it gets going, it reseeds quite a bit. Now I've got a large patch in the back garden! I've gotten to the point where I'm pulling the seedlings out.

It's a BIG perennial, but a great wildlife plant. In particular, the hummingbirds and Eastern Tiger swallowtails love this plant. So do the bumblebees. Goldfinches love the seeds and they are all over it all day long. I watched the resident hummingbird chase a couple Goldfinches off the Cup plant the other day! Territorial little bugger. :)

I luv this Ellen!