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Umbels of yellow flowers on Golden Alexander.

Type

Native

Sunlight Type

Full Sun, Part Sun / Shade

Soil Type

Adaptable, Rich & Moist, Tolerates Clay Soil

Attracts

Butterflies, Bees

Benefits 

Pollinator Hub, Early Bloomer, Self-Seeds

Golden Alexander

Spring Sunshine for the Wildflower Garden

Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) is a cheerful native perennial that brightens the garden in late spring with flat-topped clusters of tiny yellow flowers. It fills an important gap, blooming after the spring bulbs but before the summer daisies. It is a crucial host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly.

Why You Need It:

  • Butterfly Host: Feed Black Swallowtail caterpillars in your own yard.
  • Adaptable: Happy in sun or shade, wet soil or dry soil.
  • Easy Care: A reliable, self-seeding native that needs almost no attention.

Planting Tips:

Grows well in Sun or Part Shade. It’s a great choice for a meadow or informal woodland edge. If you see caterpillars eating the leaves, don't spray! Those are your future butterflies.

     

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