prairie wildflower

Easter daisy

Townsendia exscapa

Also known as Stemless Townsend Daisy, Stemless Townsend-daisy

Native to the Great Plains, the Southwest, and the Rockies and southern Canada

Saskatchewan and Gallatin, county, Montana., south to western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico

In the garden

A prairie wildflower for full sun. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 2 in, it tucks into meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 2–9.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

The Easter daisy's white flowers bloom March to May, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws butterflies.

Easter daisy blooms whiteFoliage

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Habitat: PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Great Plains, the Southwest, and the Rockies and southern CanadaUnited States (12): AZ, CO, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, UT, WY. Canada (1): SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Saskatchewan and Gallatin, county, Montana., south to western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Hardiness zones: USDA 2–9 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Sandy soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.

Height: up to 2 in (to 5 cm)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).