The Okanagan Xeriscape Association

Plant of the Month- August

Heterotheca villosa

Heterotheca villosa, commonly known as hairy golden aster or hairy false golden aster, is a resilient perennial wildflower native to western North America. This hardy member of the Asteraceae family has earned recognition for its adaptability and striking yellow blooms that brighten arid landscapes from late summer through fall.

This perennial is quite variable in size, typically growing 8 to 24 inches tall, forming compact clumps with multiple branching stems. As its name suggests, the entire plant is covered in dense, soft hairs that give it a grayish-green appearance and help it conserve moisture in harsh, dry conditions. The narrow, lance-shaped leaves are arranged alternately along the stems and can reach up to 3 inches in length.

Heterotheca villosa produces abundant small, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow ray petals surrounding golden-yellow disc centers. These cheerful blooms typically measure about half an inch across and appear in loose, branching clusters from August through October, providing crucial late-season nectar for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators when many other flowers have finished blooming.

This drought-tolerant species thrives in sandy soils, rocky slopes, prairies, and disturbed areas across its range, which extends from Canada south to Mexico and from the Great Plains to the Pacific Coast. Its deep taproot system allows it to access water sources unavailable to shallow-rooted plants, making it exceptionally well-suited to xeric environments.

In landscaping, Heterotheca villosa serves as an excellent choice for xeriscaping, native plant gardens, and naturalized areas. Its low maintenance requirements, extended blooming period, and wildlife value make it particularly valuable for sustainable gardening practices. The plant readily self-seeds, often establishing naturalized colonies that provide consistent habitat for beneficial insects and add reliable color to challenging growing sites where few other flowering plants can survive.

Note from Judie Steeves– “We have a herd of seven deer right now, and they won’t touch either of Heterotheca villosa. Five of those are fawns, and they will eat anything once, but they haven’t even touched them.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Did you know?

1. There is LESS water available per person in the Okanagan than anywhere else in Canada
2. The Okanagan has one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada
3. The 2nd largest use of water in the Okanagan is for watering our household lawns & gardens

Here’s a reminder to check out the Make Water Work website to make your pledge to reduce water waste.

You will also find valuable information such as these useful PDF publications–
Make Water Works Tip Sheet and Make Water Works Plant Collection

Xeriscape is a very effective way to make water work.