Goldenaster
Goldenaster (Chrysopsis spp.) is a
member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family.
Members of this genus range from the
Northeastern U.S. to the southern Midwest
and the entire Southeast. Florida has 11
native Chrysopsis species, eight of which
are endemic. Look for them primarily
in scrub habitats and well-drained
pinelands.
Description
Florida’s goldenasters include species
found nowhere else in the world, and
several are listed by the state as rare
or endangered. The most commonly
encountered species are Maryland
goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) and
Coastalplain goldenaster (C. scabrella).
Maryland goldenaster is found in welldrained
pinleands throughout Florida,
with the exception of the extreme south.
Coastalplain goldenaster occurs in
sandhills throughout the peninsula, except
for the extreme southern portion.
Florida goldenaster (C. oridana) is
naturally rare — endemic only to four
counties in west Central Florida. However,
it is often commercially available and easy
to grow. It is more compact than other
Chrysopsis species and is most attractive
in late spring and early summer when not
in bloom. Its beautiful silvery white foliage
is reminiscent of lupine.
Goldenaster’s clusters of yellow daisylike
owers are cheerful and profuse, with
multiple buds at the end of each branch.
Flowering usually peaks in late summer
or early fall and lasts up to a month,
depending on the species. All are
deciduous, losing their foliage in winter
and rising in spring from a basal rosette
of soft wooly leaves covered with dense
white “hairs.”
Coastalplain goldenaster can be leggy,
with stalks that can reach up to 4 feet.
Its blooms are limited to the crown of the
plant. Maryland goldenaster grows more
compactly than its cousins, standing up to
18 inches tall. Its leaves are elliptical and
bright green, and its attractive foliage,
along with its larger owers, make it
appealing for landscapes.
Planting
Goldenaster is drought-tolerant once
established and performs best in full sun,
but also adapts to high pine shade. Use
it as a “mid-section” addition to gardens,
planting it well behind the border.
Because of some species’ leggy growth,
consider planting goldenaster among
sturdy wildowers that can help keep
plants erect.
When planted in mass, goldenaster can
be an eye-catcher when blooming — just
keep in mind its deciduous nature.
Chrysopsis plants can be planted any
time and should bloom within a year of
planting. However, if plants are large and
close to blooming when planted, they
may not have time to become established
well enough to yield
an abundance of
blooms.
1½–4 ft
Seeds
Nectar
Maryland goldenaster
seeds are available
from the Florida Wildower Seed
Cooperative. Sow in well-drained soil in
late fall or winter. Seeds collected from
plants should be sown immediately.
Plants
Maryland goldenaster is the mostavailable
species sold by native nurseries,
while Florida and Coastalplain are
occasionally available.
Care
Goldenaster needs little, if any, grooming.
Resist the temptation to nip back its stems
when it sprawls; doing so will reduce its
ability to ower. Let seeds ripen on stems
once fall owering is done, and you’ll
be rewarded with more plants the next
spring. When stems die and become
brittle, they may be trimmed from the
plant.
Site conditions
In general, goldenaster loves full sun and
does best in well-drained sandy soils.
Plant Coastalplain goldenaster in sandy,
well-drained soil. Florida goldenaster
does best in white, scrub-like sand. It is
most likely to reseed in these conditions.
Maryland goldenaster will tolerate wetter
and more organic conditions than other
Chrysopsis species. All commercially
available species adapt well to sunny
urban landscapes if not overwatered.
Hardiness zones
Maryland goldenaster is suited to
zones 8a–9b. Florida and Coastalplain
goldenaster are best for zone 9.
Photo by Troy Springer
Florida goldenaster’s silvery white foliage
Photo by Peg Urban
Maryland goldenaster
The plant’s ower nectar is attractive
to native butteries, as well as to
a variety of native bees with long
tongues, including green metallic
bees, sweat bees, leafcutter bees,
bumble bees, mining bees and miner
bees.
Photo by Bob Peterson
Bumble bee on Coastalplain goldenaster