Chaenactis douglasii-Dusty maidens

Description Dusty maiden plants provide pollen and nectar to a wide variety of insect visitors, including many species of native bee. It is a biennial or short lived perennial and is a member of the sunflower (Asteraceae) family. Flowering stems generally grow 12-24″ and are topped by white to pinkish composite flower that blooms in the summer. The flowering stems grow from a persistent basal rosette of grayish, multi-lobed to lacey, woolly or hairy leaves. It has a deep taproot. Dusty maidens usually occupies dry, open and sunny sites in shrub-steppe, alpine, rock fields, and subalpine habitat. It occur throughout western North America at mid to high elevations. It prefers gravelly, sandy, loamy, rocky and coarse, well drained soils. It is an early colonizer of disturbed sites, thriving in fire-affected areas, erosive soils, roadsides, and old gravel pits. It performs well in harsh conditions when used for habitat restoration, including sites with mining waste rock. Great for native rock gardens! Some Native American tribes used and/or still use dusty maidens for a wide variety of health conditions. Chaenactis douglasii seed packets contain 1 1/4 teaspoon of seed. Seed Germination Instructions 30 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall to early winter.