Packera aurea, Golden or Heartleaf Ragwort

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Earlier classified as Senecio aureus, this native wildflower grows in moist
fields and woods throughout much of the eastern half of North America
and as far west as Texas. Golden flowers bloom for about three weeks and
after they have faded, shiny basal foliage serves as a pretty ground cover.

Print version: Packera aurea, Golden or Hearleaf RagwortPackera aurea, Golden or Hearleaf Ragwort, Ground Cover Height: 1⁄2–21⁄2 feet Spread: 1⁄2–11⁄2 feet Bloom Color: Yellow Characteristics Clump-forming, evergreen herbaceous perennial Toothed, heart-shaped basal leaves are medium green to dark green in color with a purple tinge underneath; stem leaves are sparse and pinnately lobed Daisy-like flowers bloom in flat-topped clusters on top of tall stems in April followed by achenes (tiny one-seeded fruits) with fluffy white hairs Spreads, very aggressively in optimal conditions, by self-seeding and root colonizing Attributes Tolerates wet soil and seasonal flooding; no serious pests or diseases; deer rarely damage Blooms well even in shade Basal foliage may perform as evergreen ground cover with adequate moisture & in mild winters Ethnobotanic uses; may be harmful if ingested Attracts bees, butterflies; larval host of The Gem moth Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Remove flowering stems after bloom (and before seeds scatter to control spread if desired) Use in woodland gardens and to control erosion Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 Excellent Replacement for Alliaria petiolata - Garlic Mustard Euonymus fortunei - Wintercreeper Ficaria verna - Fig Buttercup Hedera helix - English Ivy Ornithogalum species - Star of Bethlehem Ranunculus ficaria - Lesser Celandine Vinca minor – PeriwinkleLearn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: Tried and True Plant Fact Sheets.