Zizia aurea – Golden Alexanders

Something of a poor cousin to the more ornamental Heartleaf Alexanders (Z. aptera), this plant nevertheless is as tough and easy-to-grow and also produces an umbel of small golden flowers that bring color to the spring garden. A great choice for butterfly gardens – it serves as a host plant for the Black Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes), and the flowers provide an early nectar source for the American Painted Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), as well as a variety of native bees.