Heterotheca villosa (Hairy Golden Aster)

A tough sun lover, Heterotheca villosa (Hairy Golden Aster) is an upright rounded perennial forming a bushy clump with over 50 stems crowned with branched clusters of bright yellow daisies, 1 in. across (2.5 cm). Blooming for 3-4 months from late spring to fall, the flowers feature 10 to 20 ray florets enclosing a center of 20-50 orange-brown disc florets. Emitting a pleasant spicy-sharp sage aroma, the sprays of golden flowers attract butterflies but are ignored by deer. The narrow and lance-shaped gray-green leaves are stemless with rounded to tapering bases. Stems and leaves are densely covered rough, whitish hairs. Native to North America and Mexico, Hairy Golden Aster is a highly variable perennial in terms of stem height, leaf base shape, number of flower heads and ray florets. Nine varieties have been recognized. Requiring little water to perform, it is perfect for the dry, sunny garden and thrives on average, even poor soils, as long as they drain well. Providing a long-lasting showy display, this is one of the most drought tolerant daisies for the landscape.

• Grows up to 8-36 in. tall (20-90 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Plants readily reseed in the garden.
• Thrives in full sun in sandy, dry, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• A fine choice for borders, native gardens, rock gardens, prairies and meadows.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Deadhead to promote long-lasting blooms. Cut down after hard frost, but allow a few stems to self-seed and feed birds.
• Propagate by seed, cuttings (late spring or summer) or division (early spring). Seeds may be planted as soon as ripe or in the spring.
• Native to North America, from Indiana to Minnesota and British Columbia, south to Arizona, Texas and Mexico.