Zizia, Golden Alexanders 'Minnesota Native'

Zizia, Golden Alexanders 'Minnesota Native'
Sun Preference
Full-Sun, Part-Sun
Bloom or Harvest Time
April, May, June
As low as: $0.00

Description

A widely adaptable, long blooming wildflower with umbels of bright yellow flowers in late spring through early summer. An important early season nectar source for a variety of insects. Dry to moist soils.

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Details

Golden Alexanders | Zizia aurea

Height:  3 feet

Spacing:  18 inches

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Hardiness Zone:  3a

Other Names:  Golden Zizia

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

An attractive native perennial, featuring compound umbels of tiny yellow flowers in spring, that are quite showy above the bright green foliage; self seeds, and will naturalize easily; great for open woodlands, prairie areas, or native plant gardens

Ornamental Features

Golden Alexanders features showy yellow flat-top flowers held atop the stems in late spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated oval compound leaves remain light green in color throughout the season. The purple fruits are held in clusters from mid to late summer. The brick red stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Alexanders is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Self-Seeding

Golden Alexanders is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Golden Alexanders will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 3 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America..

Golden Alexanders is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.

More Information

Bloom or Harvest Time April, May, June
Sun Preference Full-Sun, Part-Sun
USDA Hardiness Zone 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Mature Spread (Range) 12" - 24"
Mature Height (Range) 25" - 36"

Product Questions (15)

Gertens carries annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, water plants, house plants, edibles, cacti/succulents, seasonal blooming holiday plants and a wide variety of bulbs and seeds!
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season (spring – fall/frost). Perennials are plants that live for more than two growing seasons. They die back in winter and re-emerge in spring. ...
Hardiness is the capacity of a cultivated plant to withstand adverse conditions, usually its tolerance of low temperature. Plants are given a hardiness rating by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 11 zones based on the coldest or warmest temperature...
A short list of perennials that will attract butterflies includes Yarrow, Coneflowers, Blazing Star, Asters, Milkweed, Butterfly weed, Black-eyed Susan and Bee balm aka Monarda. These are all hardy to Minnesota. Check ...
A short list of perennials that do well in shade include Coral Bell, Astilbe, Aralia, Snakeroot, Hosta, Ferns, Bleeding Hearts and more. To view more perennials found at Gertens, click ...
Monarch butterflies are attracted to all types of native Milkweed. The female Monarch lays her eggs only on Milkweeds - plants in the Asclepias genus - where the caterpillars will hatch, feed and grow before forming a chrysalis. Adults also love Butterfly...
A perennial that is less hardy to your hardiness zone can be brought indoors for winter in a pot appropriate for its size. You don’t want the plant roots to dry out for long periods, but don’t let the soil be soggy. Water about once a month and watch...
Yes, an unheated garage should be just enough extra protection for zone 5 plants. Don’t let the plant dry out for long periods, water it about once a month. To find out what hardiness zone you are in, click ...
Yes, you can overwater plants. Especially in pots but also in the ground, however, planting in the ground allows for better water dispersion so the odds of overwatering are less. Low lying areas may be more prone to flooding. Areas with clay soil also...
A rough estimate for the last frost date here in zone 4b is the first week of May. This is not exact, as Minnesota weather can be variable, but it does help for plantings.
Hummingbirds drink nectar through their long tongue and prefer to drink out of long tubular flowers. A Mandevilla plant is a great example. ...
Generally, Japanese beetles are not going after the perennials. They like trees, roses, vines. Grape vines are one of their favorites, as are roses. But they have been seen on milkweed flowers, green bean leaves and more. Japanese...
Once you get the plant home, dig a hole in the ground twice as wide as the pot it’s in. Loosen the soil, and then pat root stimulator on the roots. Plant in the hole at the same...
Bees love any plant that they can get nectar from such as tubes or little flowers. Butterflies like a flat surface that they can get into. A short list for both bees and butterflies includes: Yarrow, Coneflowers, Blazing Star, Asters, Milkweed, Butterfly...
Use ant repellents.  Terro = Grease Ants Revenge = Garden Ants NOTE: Before bringing...
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