Golden Ragwort (Pakera aurea)

We love this plant at our Wildflower Preserve near Pequot Library. An excellent choice for rain gardens, in full sun, but also combines beautifully with ferns if grown in a shade spot. It is attractive to early pollinators, and very deer resistant. This species has also become popular as a green mulch that covers the ground neatly with leaves that are only 4 inches high, that shoot up flower stalks to 2 feet. 

It blooms earlier than most plants used in pollinator gardens, and is well adapted to the shade that taller perennials will provide later in the season. The semi-evergreen basal foliage will create an attractive ground cover that will help retain moisture and prevent weeds from establishing. One of those adaptable plants to all soil types and all sun exposures. Also known as roundleaf groundsel or roundleaf ragwort, it is an absolute winner as a colonizing, deer resistant, evergreen/semi-evergreen, pollinator favorite.

Light: full sun to part shade
Soil: medium to wet
Comments: Prefers moisture but also found growing in dryish areas. Tolerates seasonal flooding.