Chrysopsis mariana / Maryland Golden Aster (Aster Family)

Numerous bright yellow blooms (always covered in various pollinators) sit atop sage green leaves in late fall. Very silky basal rosettes stay green all year long–combine this with the attractive seed heads and it makes for great winter interest. This aster is very drought tolerant and will do great with shallow, rocky, and sandy soils, though I have also seen it establish in a drainage ditch. It is a short lived plant, but reseeds heavily–move seedlings around in early spring or late fall if necessary.

Blooms: Yellow, 6-8 weeks, Sep-Oct
Leaves: Sage green, 2-5”, lanceolate, hairy, evergreen
Height: 1-2’
Space: 1-2’
Soil: Avg-Dry
Exposure: Full sun to Part Sun
Fauna: Pollinator magnet for bees, flies, wasps, beetles, and butterflies
Seeds: Flowers turn into smaller, denser, dandelion-like seed heads that stay attached most of the winter, making for great winter interest
Deer Resistance: High
Zone: 4-8
Native Status: NC native, common across the state
Provenance: North Carolina ecotype, seed grown