Townsendia formosa –

Description

Townsendia – There are about 20 short lived compact, annuals, biennials, or monocarpic perennials in this genus. Most species are less than 6″ and less than 18″ wide .They naturally occur in open, freely draining habitats in mountainous areas of Western North America. They produce alternate leaves that are narrow or spatula shaped, with smooth edges and can be clothed in dense hairs often silver to gray-green in color. They are grown for their solitary, short stemmed, aster-like, yellow centered ½”-1 ½” diameter flowerheads, produced in spring and summer. Townsendias species are suitable for a rock garden or trough. Grow in gritty, sharply drained soil in full sun. Immediately upon germination, transfer to individual pots to avoid taproot damage, seedlings will not survive transplanting. Pinch to prevent flowering the first year. Protect from excessive winter moisture. T. formosa – This upright, clump forming, rhizomatous perennial from Southwestern USA grows 24″ tall and 6″ wide. It produces spoon shaped to inversely lance shaped leaves, to 3″   Long, with finely hairy midribs and edges. In summer, one to several solitary flowerheads, 1 1/4″ across, with pale violet petals with mauve reverse, and yellow centers are produced on upright stems, 4″ long. Zones 6-8