Hoary Groundsel
Packera werneriifolia
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Hoary Groundsel (Packera werneriifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 4 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Hoary Groundsel.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Packera werneriifolia is a compact native groundsel that forms low mounds of silvery-gray foliage topped with bright yellow daisy-like flowers from May through July. This drought-tolerant perennial stays under a foot tall and spreads slowly to create attractive ground cover in sunny, dry locations.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hoary Groundsel takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- May appear weedy or wild to traditional HOA standards
- Unknown leaf retention could mean unsightly dormant periods
- Groundsel plants often have informal growth habits
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow blooms attract native bees and beneficial beetles during the late spring and summer months. This native plant provides important nectar resources for pollinators during the growing season.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hoary Groundsel need?
- Hoary Groundsel grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hoary Groundsel bloom?
- Hoary Groundsel blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Hoary Groundsel native?
- Hoary Groundsel (Packera werneriifolia) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 4 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Hoary Groundsel attract?
- Hoary Groundsel draws bees and beetles.
- Is Hoary Groundsel HOA-friendly?
- Hoary Groundsel takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Hoary Groundsel? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.