Compass Plant
Silphium laciniatum
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Compass Plant - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Compass Plant highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer
Growing Zones 4-9
Native Compass Plants (Silphium laciniatum) are tall prairie and native landscape cornerstones! These mighty perennial plants grow tall and their blooms shine like the sun! These iconic prairie plants grow long foliage from basal rosettes with Oak leaf-like pointed lobes.
The tall flowering stems become filled in big yellow rows of toothy ray petals with yellow centers of miniature florets like their Sunflower cousins! Named Compass plants because of the way these plants orient themselves North/South to avoid having their sandpapery leathery leaves get the direct brunt of the hot summer midday sun!
Hardy perennial natives throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 9, and can reach soaring heights of 5 - 10 feet in height when in bloom! The rosettes can grow 2-3 feet wide with each leaf can be 15-24 inches long! Growing fast and blooming throughout the late-season months of July through September, bees and butterflies need these vital nectar and pollen resources.
Planting and Application:
Very long-lived native perennials with deep roots, be sure you want this plant growing right where you plant them for the long haul. Gorgeous and unexpected height and focal points throughout the sun garden, work Compass plants into prairie restoration projects, grassy sunny meadows, and throughout a native pollinator and mixed perennial border.
Plant among any other boldly hued perennials, similar ray flowers, large and small shrub borders, and really... that bright golden-yellow hue compliments just about every other plant and color out there! The Compass Plants' bold blooms always complement smaller sprays of blooms such as Larkspurs and Delphiniums, Baby's Breath, and Goldenrod. Mix and match with rusty grasses, purples, oranges, reds, and blues!
- Multiple Sunflower-Like Flowers on Tall Flowering Stems
- Oak Leaf-Like Coarse, Stiff Enormous Foliage
- Long Bloom Season
- Pollinator Friendly Blooms
- Grand Height, Cheerful Long-Lasting Blooms & Native Plantings
#ProPlantTips for Care:
These are full sun perennials that require very well-drained soil. Water just enough to establish their first season in the ground, but then once settled, Compass Plants are very drought-tolerant perennial plants. Prune in the late autumn after the birds have had their fill of the seeds, trimming down the stems and leaves to clean the mounds in preparation for winter. If you don't wish the seeds to self-sow, trim the stems down before they go to seed.
- Sun, Sun, Sun!
- Well-Drained Soil
- Moderate to Low Moisture Needs
- Deadhead/Prune Late Autumn
- Deer Seldom Bother Them
Unique moving plants that soar to great heights, the Compass Plant is a fun native that handles harsh conditions, sun all day, and feeds pollinators and songbirds! Now shipping from Nature Hills Nursery!
