Silphium mohrii – Cumberland Rosinweed – 5-Pint

This obscure plant, restricted in range primarily to the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, has become a bit of a horticultural star due to plantings at two well-known Public Gardens – the Mt Cuba Center in Delaware and Chanticleer in Philadelphia. Quoting from Mt. Cuba’s description: “With large basal, lance-shaped foliage, a clump-forming habit and numerous pale yellow flowers, this rosinweed adds a bold statement to the perennial border or naturalized planting. Basal leaves are 10-15” long, gradually smaller as they ascend the stems; both leaves and stems are covered with dense, fine, bristly hairs. The 2” flowers are slightly fragrant, borne on erect, 2-5’ tall stems that branch near the top. Plants prefer a rocky to gravelly, well-drained soil with low fertility.