Prairie groundsel (or prairie ragwort) has bright, yellow, daisy-like flowers at a time of year when many other sun-loving plants haven't started blooming yet. This springtime wildflower spreads by seed and by shallow, creeping stems that root as they grow, creating a dense groundcover. "Groundsel" is derived an old term that meant "ground swallower" and indicates that the plant can spread rapidly. It does contain an alkaloid chemical that is toxic to mammals, so it is avoided by deer and rabbits. Pollinators are unaffected, and prairie groundsel offers a source of pollen and nectar for them early in the season.

Uses: Ground cover, pollinators, drought tolerant, fragrant flowers
Bloom time: May to June

Height: up to 2 feet
Space: 12 to 18 inches

Sun: Full sun to light shade
Moisture: Dry to average