To claim a permanent place in my perennial bed, I ask only three things of a plant: be self-sufficient after becoming established, don’t be invasive in natural areas or overly aggressive in the garden, and look pretty for at least most of their growing season. While those are straightforward metrics, you’d be surprised how many plants fail the tests and remove themselves from consideration. Only the best make the cut. Stalwarts earning their spot recently include the ever-reliable Purple-Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida), the indomitable Drift® Rose, the stone cold classic Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’), the gaudy newcomer Summerific® Hardy Hibiscus, the ever elegant ‘Limelight’ Hydrangea, and the old southern charmer Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata). However, the latest species to stake its claim among these standouts is the native Starry Rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus).
In its quest to pass the first test, self-sufficiency in the landscape, Starry Rosinweed excels. A Calhoun County native plant, Starry Rosinweed is right at home in area yards. In fact, in the wild, the species occurs in sunny flatwoods and open sandy pine forests, perfectly mimicking local soil, water, and light conditions found in most local landscapes. Its native nature enables it to expertly tolerate our periodic droughts, extended rainy periods, heat, humidity, and winter chill. Any condition our climate throws at us, Rosinweed can handle.
As for test two, Starry Rosinweed is a long-lived perennial that can slowly spread from underground rhizomes to increase in size and will reseed, but it isn’t overly rambunctious. Seedlings can be pulled and discarded or shared with your plant pals. Moreover, it is a Panhandle native, so there is no concern about it potentially escaping into natural areas like other easygoing options. Finally, while mature Rosinweed plants do get tall (about 5’ in bloom), they max out at about 24” wide, making them efficient users of landscape space. Another A+.
For many folks, the last hurdle is the most important. A plant that is just pretty in the landscape. Here is where Starry Rosinweed really shines. Beginning in late June and continuing through the fall, the species sports brilliant yellow aster-type flowers held high on thick stems above the foliage. To me, they resemble miniature sunflowers, particularly Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolia) but are much more rigid plants and keep a tidier profile in the garden. Beneath the flowers, the foliage is plenty attractive on its own, rough, rugged, and dark green. Passed, on all three counts, with flying colors.
As for how to use Starry Rosinweed in the landscape, I have found their highest calling in a mixed height bed where their extreme upright nature can be softened by shorter plants in from and taller, thicker plants behind to frame the flower show. They would also look nice in a “cottage” type garden, adding some whimsy, growing loose, and blooming around other wildflowers or softening a structure such as a mailbox. Additionally, I have found Starry Rosinweed to be totally unbothered by disease, harmful insects, or deer, though they do attract a myriad of beneficial pollinators.
If you’ve been searching for a plant that’s self-sufficient, won’t take over, and is lovely to look at for months on end, Starry Rosinweed is a great, native choice! For more information about Starry Rosinweed, native pollinator friendly wildflowers, or any other horticultural topic, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension County office today. Happy Gardening!
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