Golden Alexanders is a quintessential prairie plant that signals the arrival of spring with its vibrant, lacy yellow flower heads. This hardy perennial typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and features compound, deeply lobed leaves that provide a lush backdrop for its numerous tiny blossoms. Native to moist prairies and open woodlands across eastern and central North America, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is quite tolerant of heavy clay soils. It is a crucial host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly and a magnet for a diverse array of beneficial insects and native bees. Its ability to bloom for several weeks in late spring fills a critical gap in the pollinator calendar before summer species take over. Golden Alexanders is easy to grow from seed and will happily naturalize in a meadow or cottage garden setting. For best results, sow seeds in the fall to satisfy their natural cold-stratification requirements, ensuring a robust display the following spring.

Quick facts

• Height: 1–3 ft
• Sun: Full to Partial
• Soil moisture: Medium-Wet to Medium-Dry
• Bloom time: Apr–Jun (Yellow)
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Native range: Native to 39 states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska

See the full growing guide and county range map for Golden Alexanders