Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wildflower Wednesday - Golden Alexander

Today I wanted to show you one of my favorite wildflowers. Anethum graveolens - Apiaceae, or most commonly known as Golden Alexander.  It is in the carrot family. It has lanceolate, finely and sharply tooted leaves. Something like hellebore leaves. Sometimes they are even evergreen here in my Zone 6 garden.  They have these golden yellow compound umbel flowers. 
It isn't invasive but if you don't deadhead the flowers before they go to seed you will have them scattered everywhere through the flower bed you chose to place them in. 
Here you  can see where this one is snuggling up to the varigated Weigelia bush.  They complement the pastels in your garden. Or they can take a stand with the darkest brightest colors you place them with.
They will grow in full sun or deep shade.  They aren't a bit picky about placement. A real bonus too is that they do well in a cut flower arrangement. I can't say enough good about these beauties. They are a real workhorse in my spring/early summer garden. The blooms last a long time.

Wildflower Wednesday is brought to you by Gail at Clay and Limestone through Greenbow and several other blogs. To find a wildflower for your garden go to Gail's to see everyone that is posting about Wildflowers.

28 comments:

  1. I fell for this plant after seeing it at the CBG at Spring Fling...and now have it in my garden~It looks wonderful with the burgundy leaved shrub in your garden! I am so glad to hear they aren't picky, I planted them in the GOBN behind the witch hazels and hope they like it! I'll add you to the post with a link! gail

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  2. Like Gail, the first time I saw these plants was at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The yellow masses of blooms looked beautiful. I haven't planted any yet, but they've been on my "maybe" list. Glad to know they're not invasive if tended properly. They do look good with everything in your garden, Lisa.

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  3. Lisa, I remember seeing these at the CBG too. They were a beautiful yellow mass of blooms. I do like them with the dark colors and was thinking the would look good next to the dark coral bells in my gardens. Thanks for sharing the info. :)

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  4. Hi Lisa, Wow it is really pretty and my favorite color too. I don't think I've heard of it before but will keep an eye out now. It does set off that weigela really well.

    P.S. I think we are the same zone. I am in Clarksville Tennessee which is about 2 hours from Evansville Indiana. We actually have a house there and I simply love Indiana, though I did not get to garden there. You live in a very nice state. If I ever moved it would probably be there, though hubby would disagree.

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  5. You are so right, Lisa, anethum is a wonderful plant, I like it too. New for me was the name Golden Alexander. Anethum is perfect in summer flower bouquets too with its fresh and fine "leaves". Does it already bloom now in your garden?

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  6. I can't believe I didn't see this plant at the CBG last year since several of you mentioned it. hmmmmm

    Yes Barbara, it is blooming in my garden now. The blooms will last a long time in the garden and of course in bouquets.

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  7. Very pretty Lisa! I can see why it would be great in cut arrangements. :c)

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  8. The first picture of this plant in your post is so golden and frothy! I had never heard of Golden Alexander, until I figured out this is dill, one of my favorite herbs. Love it!

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  9. Hi Lisa, Love the Golden Alexander, though for me it equates with Zizia aurea. Funny how common names vary by region. A friend of mine (whose garden we'll tour whenever you may come to AA!) has these, so I felt all "clever" at SF having met them before, lol. (Hey, I need my moments, they're so rare!)

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  10. Very pretty. Zone 6 is a bit dicey for me, but I'd sure love to give it a try. No matter how many bulbs I plant, I never have enough early spring color...

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  11. Hi Gail, what a pretty plant and one I've never heard of. I'll do some research on it and see if it's hardy up here.
    Marnie

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  12. Lisa this looks like a fabulous spring plant despite being called a wildflower. I think it certainly has potential in alot of gardens but not sure if it could withstand my cold temperatures.

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  13. Hi Lisa, Golden Alexander is lovely. It would seem to be the perfect plant. Umbels are amongst my favourite plants.....I can never have too many in my garden. My angelica are galloping at the moment.....I cannot wait to see them in full bloom.......

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  14. Put me on the list of people who saw this plant at Chicago and put it on the list. We recently found one at our local nursery and it went in a very conspicuous place to get the attention it deserves. I love it, thanks for showing it for the wildflower day. :-)
    Frances

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  15. Lovely, though I wonder about the common name. Why Alexander? Have a blessed weekend!

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  16. I do like this plant and can see it filling in the spaces in my garden!A bit of sunshine here and there even if the skies are grey as they are right here right now as we wait for our much needed rain!

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  17. Now I have a name! I saw these when I was out for a walk the other day and wondered what they are called.

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  18. Lisa I haven't seen these before ! They do look beautiful )
    I know about that reseeding thing from a plant I had YEARS ago .. it is still trying to make a "come back" !! LOL
    Joy

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  19. I've seen this plant a few times, and wondered about the name. Thanks for answering the question!

    It looks lovely in your garden :-)

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  20. A very beautiful wildflower!
    I am so very fond of the native flowers....
    I so want to pour a cup of tea and catch up...I am so far behind. Hope everything this going well for you. Maybe I will get a few rainy days soon!
    Sherry

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  21. Hi there Lisa, I can completely see why you like this one. Very nice... I do like that colour and flower shape too :-D

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  22. What a beautiful wildflower plant ~ My son's name is Alexander... I think I will look for Apiaceae at the garden centre.

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  23. I have made a note of this heretofore unknown to me perennial. I love the color and foliage. On the list! Thanks and your pairings are perfect.

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  24. Lisa, that's so pretty. I've never grown it.~~Dee

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  25. Hello Lisa!Wishing you a Happy Mother's Day! love and light anna xo

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  26. It certainly is lovely. I like the shade of yellow in the blossom.

    Jen

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  27. Looks like all your plants are butterfly favorites.
    My weigela is in full bloom...should take a picture.

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  28. I love golden Alexander, too. My friend needs to dig some out for me once it stops blooming. We should be close. :)

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