This native wildflower has bright yellow blossoms in spring that pollinators love.
Golden alexander is atough native perennialthat lights up the spring garden with its bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
Golden alexander has a low-growing, mounding habit.
Credit:bgwalker / Getty Images
It will spread slowly to form a drift of color and texture, making it aneasy-care groundcover.
Its relaxed habit is a great fit for acottage gardenas well.
Dig a planting hole slightly larger than the plants root ball.
Credit:Flowerphotos / Getty Images
Plant the golden alexander by backfilling with native soil; no soil amendments or fertilizer is needed.
Water the plants well after planting and water regularly for about a month until established.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart.
Credit: Blaine Moats
Soil and Water
The best soil for golden alexander is moist without standing water.
Golden alexander adapts to awide pH range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0 to 8.0).
Golden alexander started from seed in the landscape also benefits from moist soil conditions when plants are young.
Credit: Susan Gilmore
Once established, golden alexander will tolerate slightly drier conditions.
It regularly returns in spring after long periods of subzero temperatures and grows through the heat of summer.
Humidity doesnt affect the plant.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Fertilizer
Like othernative prairie plants, golden alexander doesnt require fertilizer.
It grows best in naturally fertile soil.
Improve garden soil by working a 2-inch-thicklayer of compostinto the soil every year.
Pruning
Deadheading the flowers and pruning are optional.
Pruning prompts it to regrow new foliage.
double-check the container has large drainage holes and fill it with a combination of well-draining potting mix and compost.
Keep in mind that container plants require more frequent watering than plants in the landscape.
Pests and Problems
There are no notable pests of golden alexander.
If unwanted seedlings do pop up, they are easy to remove when young.
Golden alexander does not reseed aggressively.
How to Propagate Golden Alexander
Propagate golden alexander by seed or division.
Allow plants to disperse seed naturally in a meadow or native garden.
Scatter the seeds on top of weed-free soil in late fall.
Winter will serve as that cold period.
The seeds will germinate in early spring.
Another propagation method is to divide a mature plant in early spring.
Replant the divisions at the same depth as the original plant.
Water well until established.
Some good choices include columbine, false indigo, and sedges.
Columbine
Nativecolumbine(Aquilegia canadensis) produces nodding, bell-shaped.
yellow and red flowers in spring that attract hummingbirds.
It can reach 2 or 3 feet tall in bloom.
This tough native perennial grows about 4 feet tall and wide in full sun to part shade.
It grows 2 to 3 feet tall in full sun to part shade.
The plant thrives with plenty of water and will even grow in shallow water but will tolerate drought.
Golden alexander is a host plant for black swallowtail and Ozark swallowtail butterflies.
These insects lay eggs on the plant and the caterpillars use it as a food source.
Dill and parsley are also great host plants for these butterflies.
Golden alexander is not known to be toxic to dogs, unlike look-alikes such as wild parsnip.
“George Washington College.
