Heterotheca jonesii

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9

Light: Full sun

Mature Size: 1–2" tall | 12–15" wide

Attracts: Bees, butterflies, and pollinators

Bloom Time: Summer

Water Needs: Low once established; waterwise

Soil: Well-drained soils; adaptable to average, clay, or sandy soils

Growth Habit: Low-growing, mat-forming evergreen groundcover

Flowers: Bright golden-yellow blooms that create a glowing summer carpet above gray-green foliage

Ideal For: Native plant gardens, groundcover, rock gardens, xeriscapes, companion planting with taller natives

Evergreen: Yes

Why We Love It:
Creeping Goldenaster is a tough little native that brings bright summer color to dry gardens without demanding attention or extra water. Its low evergreen mats stay attractive year-round, while the vivid golden flowers create a glowing carpet through the heat of summer. It pairs beautifully with native sages, penstemons, grasses, and other xeric perennials, helping soften the edges of rock gardens and gravel landscapes while supporting pollinators.

Additional Info:
Native to western North America and especially well suited to dry climates and higher elevations. Deer and rabbit resistant, long blooming, and highly adaptable once established. Performs best in sunny sites with good drainage and tolerates a wide range of soil types, including clay and sandy soils. Excellent for naturalistic plantings, slopes, and low-water landscapes where evergreen texture is desired year-round.