This native perennial could follow the unintended consequences theme. That’s because it self-sows, scattering seeds wherever, so be prepared.
Golden Alexanders bloom for a long time in spring. It has gold, flat, umbel flowers about 2 to 3 inches wide, the perfect size and form for pollinators. Grow in full sun or light shade in average soil. The perennial is a long-lasting cut flower, too.
Online native plant retailers have this perennial, and you might be able to find it at local native plant sales and some garden centers. Or you can grow it from seed. It gets 2 to 3 feet tall. A member of the carrot family, Golden Alexanders is a food source for the black swallowtail caterpillar.
Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea) has two spellings. The Missouri Botanical Garden says it’s Alexander, while the Royal Horticultural Society says Alexanders. Each of these organizations is considered go-to sources for nomenclature.
The genus name Zizia honors the German botanist Johann Baptist Ziz (1779-1829). Aurea is Latin for golden. And the Alexander(s) reflects this plant’s similarity to Smyrnium olusatrum, found in Europe and has the common name alexanders or alisander, according to Wikipedia.