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A very pretty North American native, Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea, is a carefree flowering perennial plant selected by NC Botanical Garden as a Wildflower Plant of the Year. This is a twofer, quintessential pollinator plant. In addition to attracting pollinators, its leaves host the caterpillars of the black swallowtail butterfly. During early to late spring, it features abundant clusters of bright yellow flowers that will get the attention of many butterfly species and other beneficial pollinators. A highly adaptable plant, it will grow in full blazing sun to part shade, even in light shade under trees, and thrives in consistently moist soils but will also tolerate dry conditions when established. It forms a clump 2 feet tall and wide clothed in attractive, green leaves with finely serrated margins similar to those of parsley but larger. The leaves turn light purple in the fall. It is an excellent addition to the wildflower or native perennial garden, where it will form a small colony.

Growing upright to about 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, Golden Alexanders is ideal for use in sunny to partially shaded woodland, wildflower, and perennial gardens.  Excellent in garden spots with moisture retentive soil.