Hardy Planting Zone: Zones 3 through 9
Bloom Season: Approximately three weeks in early spring, specifically March to April
Bloom Color: Golden yellow
Height at Maturity: Average of two feet
Soil Type Preferred: Wet to moist
Sun or Shade: Full sun to light shade, though the more sunlight it encounters, the more moisture it will need.
Golden Ragwort is a multi-bloom perennial with long stalks and individualized, spiky yellow blossoms.
This plant has not one but two distinct types of leaves. The first type of leaf occurs around the plant base and is flat and round; some would describe this shape as “disclike.” These leaves occur in a single layer and do not climb the plant. Rather, they are arranged in small clusters and from each cluster rises a stalk.
The second type of leaf is the one occurring along the stalk, though not up. These leaves are smaller than those around the base and only appear every so often, rather than in semi-organized clusters like the leaves around the base. The shape is more of a “traditional” leaf shape; each leaf comprises smaller sections that appear to be miniature leaves themselves.
The stalks of Golden Ragwort are hairless and multi-pronged, with blossoms blooming at the end of each healthy branch.
Yellow blossoms reminiscent of daisies are comprised of a fluffy middle section and an array of petals that radiate outwards, barring damage or misgrowth.
When the outer florets (petals) are no longer viable, they are replaced by small purple pieces, then removed and distributed by wind, spreading the Golden Ragwort seed.
Golden Ragwort roots are short but spread vertically and horizontally, making this plant a favored choice among landscapers and other plant aficionados for groundcover or simply covering a solid area with attractive vegetation.
