TOWERING, GOLDEN BLOOMS THAT ARISE FROM LARGE, GREEN FOLIAGE
FEATURES:
- In spring, dark green leaves as large as 18'' long by 12'' wide appear
- Come summer, smooth stems shoot upwards of 10' before daisy-like, sunshine yellow flowers pop open
- The flowers last from mid-late summer and by fall, have transitioned to seeds for the finches to gobble up
- Ideal for woodland borders, prairies or in a perennial garden
- Pollinator friendly, drought resistant and wind tolerant
- May Benefit & Attract: Hummingbirds and finches.
- The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.
- This bird-friendly native plant provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife
- All Audubon® branded trees and plants are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment.
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
- Ships in a plant-safe designed box
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Mature Height: 5-10' tall
- Mature Width: 1-2' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 1-2' apart
TOWERING, GOLDEN BLOOMS THAT ARISE FROM LARGE, GREEN FOLIAGE
FEATURES:
- In spring, dark green leaves as large as 18'' long by 12'' wide appear
- Come summer, smooth stems shoot upwards of 10' before daisy-like, sunshine yellow flowers pop open
- The flowers last from mid-late summer and by fall, have transitioned to seeds for the finches to gobble up
- Ideal for woodland borders, prairies or in a perennial garden
- Pollinator friendly, drought resistant and wind tolerant
- May Benefit & Attract: Hummingbirds and finches.
- The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.
- This bird-friendly native plant provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife
- All Audubon® branded trees and plants are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment.
- Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
- Ships in a plant-safe designed box
Growth Facts
- Hardiness Zone: 4-8
- Mature Height: 5-10' tall
- Mature Width: 1-2' wide
- Exposure: Full Sun
- Spacing: 1-2' apart
Why plant Audubon® Native Prairie Dock?
What a drama queen! Prairie Dock bursts out of the ground in spring, quickly making a mound of huge foliage. The leaves may be 18 inches long and a foot wide! In summer, smooth, leafless stems shoot up to a height of 10 feet or more and are topped by a bevy of sunny yellow Daisy-like flowers. You’ll want a first-row seat to the extravaganza, and so will the birds and butterflies. Monarchs and Swallowtails will come to sip the flowers’ nectar, as will Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. In fall and winter, finches will arrive to sample the seeds.
Prairie Dock is native to the Midwest and was once abundant from Wisconsin to Arkansas; it also grew in scattered places throughout the Southeast. The majestic tallgrass prairies where it grew are mostly gone now, plowed under or paved over. Prairie Dock was an especially long-lived member of those communities. It can live 100 years. A long, thick taproot allows the plant to withstand drought, grazing, strong winds, and fire, so it often would outlast its neighbors. Like its cousin, the Compass Plant, Prairie Dock is also special in its ability to orient its foliage for maximum photosynthesis. The leaves normally point north and south.
How to use Audubon® Native Prairie Dock in the landscape?
Another name for Prairie Dock is Rosin Weed, for the sticky substance found inside the stems. Native American kids used to scrape off this rosin and use it as chewing gum. You can try it, too—just don’t expect it to taste like Juicy Fruit! (It tastes more like Pine Tree.
Audubon® Native Plants & Trees
Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.
What is the definition of Native?
“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society
Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.
Audubon® is a licensed and registered trademark of the National Audubon Society. All rights reserved.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-8
How To Plant Audubon® Native Prairie Dock
Prairie Dock prefers deep, loamy soil that never gets extremely wet or extremely dry. It wants full sun. In excessively windy or wet years, this lofty grower may lean or even lodge (topple over). You can stake it if you feel a need to, but be sure to use very sturdy poles, as the stems become weighty on mature plants. (Maturity may take several years; Prairie Dock is a slow grower that spends some time putting down a deep taproot.) Maintenance is otherwise simple. Leave the seeds for winter-resident birds, then cut the whole plant down in early spring.
How To Water
Water twice weekly for the first 3-5 weeks; then water weekly for the remainder of the year until winter. When you water, water very slowly and very thoroughly. The water needs to reach to the bottom of the root ball and that takes time. Watering needs may be altered due to extreme weather conditions.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late year. Continue this for three years to get your plant well established.
How To Prune
Each fall, just before winter sets in clean up the previous years foliage and compost it. Be sure your perennials are mulched well for winter protection. Two inches of an organic mulch will do the job. Consider leaving the plant debris in place through the winter and doing your clean up on the weather warms in the spring. While it doesn't make things neat and tidy, the debris provides overwintering protection for insects, their eggs and pupae including our native Viceroy butterfly.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.