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Maryland Golden-Aster Chrysopsis mariana

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Heterotheca mariana
Phonetic Spelling
krih-SOP-sis mar-ee-AY-nah
Description

Maryland Golden-Aster is native short lived perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  It is found in dry forests, woodlands, roadsides, and open fields in the eastern USA and west to Texas.

The yellow daisy-like blooms appear in late summer to fall on 1 foot stems above a basal rosette of leaves. It grows best in sandy, medium moist, well-drained sandy soils but can be adaptable.  It can spread a little fast if the soil is kept moist. In general, this plant grows at a medium to rapid growth rate. This plant is drought tolerant once established. They will reseed themselves in the garden or naturalized areas. 

It flowers in the late summer well into the fall providing long-season interest and provides delicate texture with its daisy-like appearance. It attracts butterflies, bees and pollinators which keeps nature right outside your back door.  This plant is great for use in a border, rock garden or meadow.

This plant was selected as the 2018 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Occasionally suffers from mildew, otherwise no serious problems.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#nectar plant#fall interest#specialized bees#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#daisy-like#delicate#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#self-seeding#pollinator plant#native wildflower#short lifespan#food source summer#sticky#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#flowers late summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piednmont Mountains UPL#coastal UPL#fall color yellow#sandy soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#bee friendly#roadside#Audubon#NC Wildflower of the Year#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#nectar plant#fall interest#specialized bees#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#daisy-like#delicate#naturalizes#rock garden#border planting#self-seeding#pollinator plant#native wildflower#short lifespan#food source summer#sticky#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#flowers late summer#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piednmont Mountains UPL#coastal UPL#fall color yellow#sandy soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#bee friendly#roadside#Audubon#NC Wildflower of the Year#wildflower#wildlife friendly#meadow#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chrysopsis
    Species:
    mariana
    Family:
    Asteracae
    Life Cycle:
    Biennial
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern U.S.A., such as NC and Maryland
    Distribution:
    AL , DC , DE , FL , GA , KY , LA , MD , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV (Southeastern US, from NY to OH and down to TX)
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Chrysopis support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) fulvipennis, and Perdita (Hexaperdita) boltoniae. This plant attracts butterflies, bees, and pollinators. It is also moderately deer resistant.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    moderately deer resistant, drought
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Red-brown achenes. Displays from July to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Clusters of bright yellow, one-inch diameter flower heads with 13-21 rays appear late summer to fall. The petals and center of the flower are both yellow. Each flower has lanceolate, sticky flower bracts. Petals are narrow at each end and sticky bracts are below the petals. Blooms from June to October.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Oblong
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The plant forms a rosette of basal, wholly leaves which are 2"-6" long and 1 3/8" to 1.5" wide with entire or dentate margins. The lower leaves are larger and stem leaves are smaller. The leaves are wooly when young and become smoother with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Upright silky wooly stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Insect Pests
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Short-lived