FLOWER OF THE WEEK AT SOPCHOPPY DEPOT PARK

Golden Alexander

By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY

Golden alexander (Zizia aurea) is a carefree perennial gaining popularity in butterfly gardens. Clusters of dainty yellow flowers form large flat flowerheads at the tops of upright stems. The tiny golden flowers offer nectar to short-tongued pollinators between early spring and early summer blooms. Like other carrot family plants, golden alexander feeds the caterpillars of black swallowtail butterflies. It is also important to native bees, including a mining bee whose females eat only its pollen. Golden alexander thrives in moist soil in full-to-part sun but can grow under trees. It stands 1-3’ tall and 1-2’ wide and is stunning when massed. The finely serrated leaves turn purplish in fall. Planted beneath the pindo palm in the northeast garden last fall, five small young golden alexanders are blooming now at Sopchoppy Depot Park.