Zizia aurea - Golden Alexanders

Sizes available: HPP #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 3-8, 24-36" x 12-24", full sun to light shade, The umbel of yellow florets blooms in late spring to early summer, adaptable as to soil moisture except extreme wet or dry, and somewhat drought tolerant.

Common names: Golden Alexanders

Family: Apiaceae

Origin/Distribution: The native distribution is Quebec to Saskatchewan down into parts of Montana and south to New England, Florida, and Texas.

Habitat: open woods, moist prairies, and thickets

More: Zizia aurea has been used medicinally. However, it is also potentially toxic, so proceed with caution. This is a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius. The females of the mining bee Andrena ziziae, which is native to Maine, only eat Zizia aurea pollen. This is one of the first plants to wake up on the nursery benches in the spring, which means it's one tough cookie, but it takes awhile to settle into the garden. It is a good source of nectar for short-tongued insects in particular. In your drier spots you are better off trying Zizia aptera, a North American relative that is not native to Maine. Lovely cut flower and will self-sow if happy.

Source: seed grown by Honey Petal Plants with seed from Toadshade Nursery, or up-potted landscape plugs from North Creek Nursery

Image credits: close up of flower head Frank Meuschke of Shelterwood Gardens; also Wikimedia Commons