Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem)

Very tall, Verbesina alternifolia (Wingstem) is a clump-forming perennial boasting large dome-shaped clusters of bright yellow daisies in late summer to fall. Blooming for 4-6 weeks, they are attractive to bees, butterflies, and skippers. The blossoms are borne atop strongly upright, stiff, hairy stems adorned with our raised ridges, hence the name ‘wingstem’. Each luminous flower, 1-2 in. across (2-5 cm), features up to 10 reflexed, yellow ray florets and a slightly darker yellow center disk. Their real charm is the disk of tiny florets, projecting outward like a pincushion with thick needles. A single one-seeded fruit (achene) is produced by each disk floret. It may be dispersed by strong wind or carried by birds and other animals. The foliage of olive-green, elliptic, or lanceolate leaves, 4-12 in. long (10-30 cm) is rough. Native to sandy or rocky mesic soils of floodplains, woodlands, thickets, ditches, and prairies in eastern and central North America, Wingstem spreads by rhizomes and self-seeds extravagantly, forming colonies over time. It is best suited as a background planting in a native plant garden or wildflower meadow. A good food source for insects and birds, it is not favored by deer.

• Grows up to 4-8 ft. tall (120-240 cm) and 2-6 ft. wide (60-180 cm).
• Thrives in full sun to part shade in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils.
• Excellent choice for cottage gardens, native plant gardens, wildflower gardens, prairies, and meadows.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
• Propagate by seed or division in early spring.
• Native to eastern and central North America.