prairie wildflower
Prairie Groundsel
Packera plattensis
Also known as Prairie Ragwort
Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Pennsylvania and southern Ontario to Saskatchewan and south-central Montana, south to Louisiana, Texas and Kansas
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
- Life cycle Biennial or perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for sun through shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 2 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Boisduval's Blue also Melissa Blue, Yvretta rhesus
- Bees American Bumble Bee also Ligated Furrow Bee
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Boisduval's bluenectar
- Melissa bluenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (25): AR, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, OH, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, WY. Canada (4): MB, ON, QC, SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Pennsylvania and southern Ontario to Saskatchewan and south-central Montana, south to Louisiana, Texas and KansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- HighHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- Biennial or perennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.