Zizia aurea

Common Names

Golden Alexanders, Golden Alexander, Common Golden Alexander, Golden Zizia, Wild Parsley

Summary

Golden Alexander is a native herbaceous perennial of eastern North America with a clumping, erect habit, about 1–2 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide. It features aromatic, compound leaves with three leaflets and bright yellow flat-topped umbels about 3–4 inches across that bloom in spring to early summer, attracting bees and butterflies; it self-seeds to form colonies.

Thrive in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils, tolerating clay to loam and even sandy soils; prefers consistent moisture and is drought-tolerant once established. Hardiness zones 3–8; propagation by seed (cold stratification) or division; generally short-lived but persistent via reseeding; landscape uses include borders, naturalized meadows, butterfly/pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and prairie restorations.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-2 ft

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.5–7.5

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, sometimes turning purple in fall.

Fall Foliage Color

Purple

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast growth; reaches full size in about 2–5 years; spreads by seed to form colonies and spreads slowly by underground rhizomes to form small colonies.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds