Zizia aurea

A net of delicate yellow blossoms lies upon the meadow when the golden Alexanders are in bloom. Early-foraging bees flock to the sheer layer of small, bright flowers that covers the plant, gathering the pollen that will feed their young.

Native to Ohio streamside forests and fields, golden Alexanders grows well in both full sun and partial shade and soils of moderately wet to average moisture. In sunny gardens, golden Alexanders is often the first flower to appear in springtime, blooming in May. At 2-3 feet tall, golden Alexanders is quite versatile, providing a lovely complement to smooth penstemon, Ohio spiderwort, and baptisia species. Though not an aggressive plant, golden Alexanders may re-seed under ideal growing conditions, especially onto bare soil close to the mature plant. Any unwanted seedlings may be pulled in the springtime.

In terms of pollinator value, golden Alexanders is a favorite of spring mining bees. These ground-nesting bees are active early in the season and will happily nest in the garden if there is some bare soil available. Numerous other pollinators, including hover flies, bumble bees, and butterflies value golden Alexanders due to their early bloom period and easily accessed pollen and nectar. The plant is also highly recommended as a companion plant to vegetable gardens owing to its ability to boost populations of beneficial predatory insects like wasps and lady beetles.