Running Groundsel
COMMON NAME
Running Groundsel
BOTANICAL NAME*
Senecio aureus / Running Groundsel
ZONE
4 – 9
SIZE
Basal foliage – 6” HT, Flowers 1-2’ HT
FOLIAGE
Medium green, and evergreen in Zone 7. The basal foliage is very different from the foliage adorning the flower stalk. After flowering, cut back to the basal foliage for a green carpet the rest of the year.
FLOWER
Small, yellow, daisy-like flower.
FRUIT
Seeds are similar to the feathery seeds of the dandelion, and will spread in the same manner.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Full Sun to Part Shade. Native to North America. Indigenous to wet or moist areas. Great choice for a Rain Garden. Will spread by underground runners, and by seed. It will fill in a space very quickly. It is shallow rooted, therefore relatively easy to remove, but removing every little piece is tough. After removal, don’t be surprised if you find a few stray plants the following year.
WARNING…Because this plant spreads so readily, it is very hard to contain. Plant where it has the freedom to spread. It has been a great solution for a shady, wet area previously prone to erosion due to the inability to successfully maintain turf grass.