Packera aurea

Product Info

Golden Groundsel (Packera aurea)
Aster Family

Golden groundsel is a very effective evergreen groundcover that can thrive in a variety of habitats. Ideal conditions are part sun and consistently moist soil, but it will grow in full sun to full shade. Full sun plants will need more moisture. The heart shaped basal leaves turn a darker green over winter and take on shades of purple and red. Fern-like leaves appear in early February on the purple flowering stalks, which open up to small, yellow flowers. Flowering happens over a long period and is an important early pollen and nectar source for bees and flies. This can be a very fast spreading species in the right conditions–spreads by underground roots and seeds.

Blooms: Yellow, 4-6 weeks, March-April
Leaves: Dark green, purple, some heart shaped, flowering stalks have fern-like leaves, evergreen basal foliage
Height: 12-18”
Space: 12-18”
Soil: Average-Moist-Wet
Exposure:  Part sun-Part shade-Shade
Fauna: Small bees, flies, host to moth species, leaf miners
Seeds: Typical aster seeds–white fluffs
Deer Resistance: High
Zone: 3-8
Native Status: NC Native, common in the Piedmont and Mountains
Provenance: North Carolina & Tennessee ecotype, seed & asexually propagated