Golden Alexanders, Zizia aurea L., Native Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

(Golden Zizia ) One of the earliest yellow flowers to appear in the Upland Garden, always by mid-June but in an early spring, a few can sometimes be seen in late April. It makes a beautiful display with False Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br.). You will identify this plant by the tiny yellow irregularly-stalked flowers appearing in 10 to 18 somewhat flat-topped umbels that together make up a large compound umbel. The compound umbel rises on a long stalk above the leaves of which the lower are 2 or 3 times divided with the leaflets finely toothed. Height - 1 to 2 feet. They naturalize in open woodlands, sunny meadows and even wet areas, but full sun preferred. They are very attractive to butterflies. Plants can be propagated by seed after 90 days of moist cold stratification with high germination rates. Un-stratified seed can be fall planted but with less success. The plant has few pests but will spread by self-sowing so allow room or be vigilant.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Golden Alexanders	Zizia aurea (L.) W.D.J. Koch	Carrot (Apiaceae)	Upland	Spring - Early Summer
Other names and notes	(Golden Zizia ) One of the earliest yellow flowers to appear in the Upland Garden, always by mid-June but in an early spring, a few can sometimes be seen in late April. It makes a beautiful display with False Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br.). You will identify this plant by the tiny yellow irregularly-stalked flowers appearing in 10 to 18 somewhat flat-topped umbels that together make up a large compound umbel. The compound umbel rises on a long stalk above the leaves of which the lower are 2 or 3 times divided with the leaflets finely toothed. Height - 1 to 2 feet. They naturalize in open woodlands, sunny meadows and even wet areas, but full sun preferred. They are very attractive to butterflies. Plants can be propagated by seed after 90 days of moist cold stratification with high germination rates. Un-stratified seed can be fall planted but with less success. The plant has few pests but will spread by self-sowing so allow room or be vigilant.