Zizia aurea
Zizia aurea | golden Alexanders
Zizia’s bright and cheerful yellow flowers in early spring are welcomed by gardeners and insects alike. This species grows happily in moist or average garden soils, and prefers full sun but can tolerate more shade than most. It is another under appreciated northeast native plant that has merit in naturalized landscapes and garden beds alike. Its long bloom time overlaps with wild columbine, providing much needed pollinator support when few other perennials are blooming, especially for short-tongued insects that require small flowers.
Zizia aurea | golden Alexanders
Zizia’s bright and cheerful yellow flowers in early spring are welcomed by gardeners and insects alike. This species grows happily in moist or average garden soils, and prefers full sun but can tolerate more shade than most. It is another under appreciated northeast native plant that has merit in naturalized landscapes and garden beds alike. Its long bloom time overlaps with wild columbine, providing much needed pollinator support when few other perennials are blooming, especially for short-tongued insects that require small flowers.
Zizia aurea | golden Alexanders
Zizia’s bright and cheerful yellow flowers in early spring are welcomed by gardeners and insects alike. This species grows happily in moist or average garden soils, and prefers full sun but can tolerate more shade than most. It is another under appreciated northeast native plant that has merit in naturalized landscapes and garden beds alike. Its long bloom time overlaps with wild columbine, providing much needed pollinator support when few other perennials are blooming, especially for short-tongued insects that require small flowers.
HABIT
Height: 1-2’
Bloom Time: mid-spring to early summer
SITE CONDITIONS
Light: full sun, part shade
Soil: medium-wet, average
CULTIVATION TIPS
Establishment: easy, can form large colonies if given space but will not outcompete other species
Deer Resistance: high
INTERACTIONS
Pollinator Support: high
Other: plants in this family are host to black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars
CONSERVATION
Native Range: local ecotype
Seed Origin: Fairfield County, CT / Westchester County, NY