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I decided to start a new series highlighting native plant species that are a part of our native habitat yard. Today’s post highlights the Golden Alexander (Zizia aureais) plant.
Zizia is one of the true North American native plants that Black Swallowtails used as a host plant before we brought in our carrots, parsley, dill, fennel, etc, and added them to their menu. There is nothing wrong at all with those as host plants, but if you are looking for a true native host plant then this is one of them!
Golden Zizia is also used by many short tongue pollinators and smaller butterflies as a nectar source. As a long-spring flowering plant, it provides nectar when few flowers are blooming. The plant grows up to 1-3′ tall with a 1-2′ spread.
In summary, this plant provides great structure and interest to our front landscape garden. It is the earliest to bloom and has lovely flowers. The pollinators LOVE it, we have had several Black Swallowtails lay eggs on it this spring. Lots of caterpillars coming our way! You can't go wrong when adding this to your native wildlife garden.
Details:
Light: Partial, Shade
Soil: Sand, Loam, Clay
Moisture: Medium, Moist, Wet
Benefits: Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Host Plant
Height:1'-2'
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
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