Packera aurea

Packera aurea is a perennial native to North America, little known in our region. Formerly named Golden Ragwort, it is no longer part of the Senecio genus. Hardy and generously flowering, it blooms spectacularly in April with small yellow daisies with a beautiful hairy and bulging centre, carried high on sturdy stems, above a basal rosette of large cordate leaves. A plant of the undergrowth and semi-shaded or sunny areas, it likes moist to wet soils, never dry, where it quickly naturalizes, forming large ground coverings. Its small bright yellow flowers also make adorable bouquets.

Packera aurea is a semi-evergreen perennial of the Asteraceae family, native to the eastern and southern United States, where it grows in wet soils of woods, ravines, and marshes. Initially classified under the Senecio genus, it now has its own genus, Packera, in tribute to the American botanist John G. Packer, which includes about sixty species. It quickly reaches a height of 60 to 90cm (24 to 35in) and a width of 45cm (18in). Its basal foliage forms a beautiful tuft of large green heart-shaped leaves, toothed, dark green, often tinged with violet underneath. This foliage persists in mild climates during winter, but disappears otherwise. The scattered leaves on the stem are oblong and finely cut, distinct. In April, numerous flowers bloom in corymbs, with 2.5cm (1in) daisy-like flowers, with fine bright yellow petals surrounding a bulging yellow centre. After flowering, the seeds are easily dispersed by wind and the plant quickly naturalizes under suitable conditions.

Packera aurea is an excellent perennial for semi-shaded areas of the garden with consistently moist to wet soil. Use it in the undergrowth, along the banks, in wild gardens, cottage gardens, or as a border for large ground coverings. It can be used alone or combined with large ferns, beautiful blue Amsonia, or Hakonechloa. It can also be planted along ponds with Purple Loosestrife and Meadowsweet.