heartleaf alexanders
Zizia aptera
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Heartleaf alexanders (Zizia aptera) is a perennial for borders, meadows, and rain gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Tiny yellow flowers gather into large, flat-topped heads and attract butterflies and bees. It is short-lived, so let it self-sow to keep a patch going. Deer rarely make it their first choice.
Pairs well with Prairie dropseed, Pale purple coneflower, Little bluestem, and Blue star.
Native range
AL, AR, CO, CT, and 36 more places. See all 40
AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY; AB, MB, and SK.