The Genus Packera
Family Asteraceae
This is a medium-sized genus of annual, biennial and perennial herbaceous plants. Most are native to North America. One or two species are native to Asia, specifically Siberia.
The daisy family, Asteraceae, is one of the largest plant families. Only the orchid family rivals the number of species in the Asteraceae. The family includes dusty miller (Artemesia,) sunflower (Helianthus,) lettuce (Lactuca,) black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia,) marigold (Tagetes) and ironweed (Vernonia.)
The daisy family, Asteraceae, is one of the largest plant families. Only the orchid family rivals the number of species in the Asteraceae. The family includes dusty miller (Artemesia,) sunflower (Helianthus,) lettuce (Lactuca,) black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia,) marigold (Tagetes) and ironweed (Vernonia.)
Packera aurea
Packera aurea
golden ragwort
This herbaceous perennial is native to eastern Texas and the panhandle of Florida north through eastern Canada. It spreads by rhizomes. For much of the year, including winter, it is a colony of low, evergreen rosettes of rounded leaves. In late winter or early spring, it produces eighteen to twenty-four inch tall stalks with deeply divided leaves, topped with flat clusters of small, bright yellow daisies. It grows well in a sunny to partly shady site with a moist soil. This plant is recommended for zones 3 to 8.
These plants are found in native plant nurseries to the north of zone 9 and in native plant catalogs. It is easily propagated by seeds and division.
I have seen this plant growing in very moist sites. Plants in my northern zone 9a garden have grown in a shady site under tall live oaks in a pocket of clay soil with only a little irrigation. They flower as early as mid-February and continue throughout March. They add a bright splash of color to the garden early in the season. Seeds begin to mature as early as mid-March. A few seedlings have volunteered nearby.
This herbaceous perennial is native to eastern Texas and the panhandle of Florida north through eastern Canada. It spreads by rhizomes. For much of the year, including winter, it is a colony of low, evergreen rosettes of rounded leaves. In late winter or early spring, it produces eighteen to twenty-four inch tall stalks with deeply divided leaves, topped with flat clusters of small, bright yellow daisies. It grows well in a sunny to partly shady site with a moist soil. This plant is recommended for zones 3 to 8.
These plants are found in native plant nurseries to the north of zone 9 and in native plant catalogs. It is easily propagated by seeds and division.
I have seen this plant growing in very moist sites. Plants in my northern zone 9a garden have grown in a shady site under tall live oaks in a pocket of clay soil with only a little irrigation. They flower as early as mid-February and continue throughout March. They add a bright splash of color to the garden early in the season. Seeds begin to mature as early as mid-March. A few seedlings have volunteered nearby.
Packera aurea flowers