Golden Alexanders - Zizia aurea
Specifications
Type: Herbaceous Perrenial
Family: Apiaceae
Native Range: Eastern Canada to southern United States
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Attracts: Butterflies
Specifications
Type: Herbaceous Perrenial
Family: Apiaceae
Native Range: Eastern Canada to southern United States
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Attracts: Butterflies
Specifications
Type: Herbaceous Perrenial
Family: Apiaceae
Native Range: Eastern Canada to southern United States
Zone: 3 to 8
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Attracts: Butterflies
Native Plant Ambassadors:
Joann - Muskegon
Linda - Fremont
Keith - Croton Dam
Culture: Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Zizia aurea, commonly called golden Alexander, is a native perennial which occurs most often in small colonies in moist woods and meadows, thickets, glades and prairies. Features flat-topped clusters (compound umbels) of tiny yellow flowers in late spring atop stems growing to 3’ tall. Distinguished from other carrot family members by the absence of a flower stalk on the central flower of each umbel. Both basal and stem leaves are compound biternate with toothed leaflets. The similar Zizia aptera has simple, heart-shaped basal leaves. Golden Alexander is a food plant for the larvae of the woodland swallowtail butterfly (Papilio joanae). Genus name honors German botanist Johann Baptist Ziz (d. 1829). Specific epithet means golden.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage tends to depreciate as the summer progresses. In ideal conditions can reseed heavily.
Garden Use: Best massed in open woodland or prairie areas, wild or native plant gardens.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden