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Packera obovata

roundleaf ragwort

Asteraceae Eastern and central North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–8

Overview

Packera obovata is a clumping, spreading perennial in the Asteraceae that forms a basal rosette of rounded, spoon-shaped leaves and spreads by short stolons into a low groundcover. The basal leaves are obovate to nearly round, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, with toothed or scalloped margins, dark green above and often purple-tinged beneath, while the smaller stem leaves are deeply lobed. In spring, flowering stems 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall carry flat clusters of yellow daisy-like heads, each about 0.5-0.75 inch (12-19 mm) across with yellow rays around a yellow centre. After bloom the seed heads form a fluffy white pappus, and the plant carries on through the year as overwintering rosettes. It grows in moist to dry woodland, on slopes, limestone outcrops, and streambanks, tolerating both sun and shade. All parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to people and livestock if eaten. The spreading habit can crowd smaller plants in a border.

Native Range

Native to eastern and central North America, from the mid-Atlantic and southeastern states west to Texas and north into the Great Lakes region. It grows in moist to dry woodlands, on rocky and limestone slopes, bluffs, and along streams.

Suggested Uses

Used as a spring-flowering groundcover in woodland gardens, shaded borders, native plantings, and on slopes for erosion control, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. It suits naturalised areas where its stoloniferous spread fills space. The spreading habit and toxicity make it poorly suited to small formal beds or pet and livestock areas.

How to Identify

Recognised by a rosette of rounded to spoon-shaped, scalloped basal leaves that are often purple beneath, paired with much smaller, deeply lobed leaves on the flowering stems. Spring clusters of yellow daisy heads sit on stems above the rosette. The rounded basal leaves separate it from Packera aurea, which has heart-shaped basal leaves with a notched base.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs in spring, mainly April and May, over a period of three to four weeks. Flat-topped clusters of yellow heads open above the foliage and are followed by wind-borne seed. Bloom is earlier in the south and later at northern sites and higher elevations.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green, purple-tinged beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay rocky

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to shade in average to moist, well-drained soil over a pH range of about 5.5-7.0, including clay and rocky or limestone-derived soils. Established plants tolerate short dry spells but flower and spread most freely with steady spring moisture. It travels by stolons to form colonies, so room to expand suits it. Propagation is easy from division of rooted offsets or from fresh seed. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8. All parts are toxic to livestock and people if eaten.

Pruning

Needs little pruning. Spent flower stems are cut back after bloom to keep the planting tidy and limit self-seeding. Stolons and offsets that stray beyond the intended area are lifted or cut off. The basal rosette is left in place over winter.

Pruning Schedule

summer