Chrysopsis mariana aka Maryland Golden Aster

Chrysopsis mariana has two names: Maryland goldenaster and golden aster. It belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its native range covers the eastern United States, west to Texas. It spans southern New York and Ohio, south to Florida. In the wild, it grows in fields, woods, and roadsides. It grows among rocks and in grasslands too. It also grows on ground that people or events have disturbed. Many of these sites have sandy soil. Heterotheca mariana is an older name for this species.

This plant lives for several years, but its life is short. It forms upright clumps above a low rosette, or ring of leaves. Plants grow 1–2.5 feet [0.30–0.76 metres] tall. Their spread reaches 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres]. Fine, fibrous roots and short stolons support the plant. Stolons are stems that run along the ground. Its stout green stems bear soft, silky or woolly hairs. These hairs give it another name, silk grass. Its green leaves are simple, with one blade each. They grow in turn along the stems, rather than in pairs. Lower leaves are larger than those farther up the stem. Young leaves feel woolly but grow smoother with age. Their edges may be smooth or toothed.

Groups of yellow flower heads rise above the low leaves. Each head measures about 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] across. Yellow rays ring a yellow centre, making a daisy-like shape. Each head has about 13–21 rays. Sticky bracts, or small leaf-like parts, sit below it. Most blooms appear from August through October. North Carolina State also reports blooms as early as June. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. The small, reddish-brown fruits are achenes, each with one seed. They can appear from July through November.

Full sun suits this plant best, but it accepts light shade. It prefers sandy soil that drains well and stays somewhat moist. It also grows in loam, clay, and shallow rocky soil. Acid to neutral soil suits it. Once plants take root, they can cope with some drought. Sources place its hardiness in USDA zones 4–9. It grows at a medium rate. Moist soil can help it spread faster. Plants can seed themselves where the site meets their needs. New seedlings help keep this short-lived plant in the garden.

Goldenaster suits borders, rock gardens, meadows, and plantings left to grow wild. Its late flowers add colour as the growing season ends. It also fits dry garden designs and butterfly gardens. It resists deer to some extent, but not fully. Both garden sources report few serious pest or disease problems. Mildew can occur, but neither source reports major insect trouble.