Frostweed / White Crownbeard (Verbesina virginica)

Description:  Fast-growing biannual or short-lived non-woody perennial, to 6 feet, blooming in summer and fall with large flat clusters of attractive white flowers.

Natural Habitat:  Widespread in the southeaest US, it is recorded from hammock edges in Miami-Dade.

Planting and Care: Grows more compact, and flowers best, in full sun; will get leggy in deep shade. Mesic soil; avoid extremely dry or wet soil. Good as a background plant in a flower garden, or along a hammock edge.

Pros:  Flowers attract butterflies, skippers, and moths, aas well as other pollinators. Hardy, requires little care apart from pruning post flowering, if desired. However, the hollow stems can be used by native bees for nesting.

Cons:  May die back after seeding, but re-sprouts in spring. Can also spread by rhizomes.

Photo copyright Roger Hammer