Silphium perfoliatum 'Maya'

Cup-Plant Asteraceae The cup plant after someone finally suggested that 3 metres was perhaps taking the architectural perennial concept too far. ‘Maya’ is a deliberately compact selection of the imposing North American Silphium perfoliatum, retaining the species’ extraordinary, opposite leaves whose bases clasp the stem to form the characteristic water-catching “cups”, but doing so at a much more civilised height. From mid to late summer, cheerful yellow, daisy-like flowerheads appear above the foliage, attracting bees and other pollinating insects. Robust, long-lived and remarkably hardy, it brings the drama of Silphium without requiring a stepladder. Range: The species is native to eastern North America, from southeastern Canada through much of the central and eastern United States, particularly in moist prairies, woodland margins, floodplains and other damp habitats. Introduction: ‘Maya’, marketed as JS® ‘Maya’, is a deliberately selected compact form, bred to make the normally formidable S. perfoliatum more suitable for gardens. The original breeder or selector and precise date of introduction have not been reliably published. The JS® designation appears to be a trade designation rather than part of the botanical cultivar name. Growing conditions: Best in full sun and a fertile, moisture-retentive soil, although adaptable once established. Unlike the species, which can reach 2.5–3m, ‘Maya’ remains compact and is much easier to accommodate in a mixed border. Garden use: Excellent for prairie planting, wildlife gardens and late-summer herbaceous borders, especially among grasses and other bold perennials. The architectural foliage provides interest long before the yellow flowers arrive. Flowering: July–September Hardiness: H7, below -20°C Height: 80–100cm Spread: 45–60cm