
Photo from Fort Bend County Master Gardeners, Texas Native Demonstration Garden |
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Zexmenia's native range includes the Edwards Plateau to the Trans-Pecos, Corpus Christi, the Rio Grande Valley and into Mexico. In those areas it is an evergreen sub-shrub. However, it is known to be root hardy into zone 7, where it dies to the ground and returns in mid spring. Zexmenia has been a popular landscape plant in Texas for a number of years and is referred to by some gardeners as a "miracle plant" because of its versatility, cold and drought tolerance and long season good looks. This bouquet-like shrublet stands upright in full sun but will adapt to partial shade at the woods edge by reclining slightly to form a mounding groundcover with shiny, dark, sandpapery leaves and slightly fewer golden-orange, nickel-sized daisies than would occur in full sun. Poor rocky sites and amended garden soil are equally suitable provided the drainage is good. It may be cut back by half in July to re-shape or promote denser growth.
| Common Name | Zexmenia, Orange Wedelia, Orange Zexmenia |
| Scientific Name | Wedelia hispida |
| Plant Habit or Use | ground use, small shrub |
| Exposure | sun or partial sun |
| Flower Color | golden yellow |
| Blooming Period | summer, fall |
| Fruit Characteristics | achene |
| Height | 2 to 3 feet |
| Width | 2.5 feet |
| Plant Character | herbaceous perennial evergreen |
| Heat Tolerance | high |
| Soil Requirements | adaptable |
Above information from aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.. |
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