Psilostrophe

( SYE - lohst - roff )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Paper Flower, this genus of flowering perennials needs full sun and little or no water. The flowers will attract butterflies to your garden. They are short-lived perennials native to North America that form mounds of grey-green foliage dotted with yellow flowers in spring. Use Psilostrophe in mixed beds and borders, rock gardens, drought-tolerant/water-wise gardens, or native and pollinator landscapes.

Psilostrophe Species and Varietals

The Psilostrophe genus is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 7 species. Paper Flower growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Psilostrophe cooperi (Whitestem Paper Flower, Cooper's Paper Daisy)
This species grows best in zones 7-12 and 18-21. Native to California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and northern Mexico. Reaches 12-18 inches tall and two times as wide, with whiteish stems and leaves. These plants form perennial shrubs with a spreading habit and has has hairy foliage.

Psilostrophe tagetina (Marigold-Flowered Psilostrophe, Wooly Paperflower)
This species is best in zones 2b, 7-12 and 18-19. Native to Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico. Forms a 2 foot mound of green-grey foliage and yellow flowers. This is a self-sowing species, and is considered a short-lived perennial. These plants were used in the traditional medicinal practices of various native populations in the mid-western United States.

Caring for Psilostrophe

Psilostrophe, or Paperflower, does well when planted in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, these shrubby plants like to get between 6 and 8 hours of sun every day, but in warmer climates they appreciate some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining; these plants grow naturally in rocky and sandy soils and do not like to have wet feet. If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Paperflower is drought-tolerant and can get by for most of the year on rainwater alone, with supplemental irrigations in long periods of dry weather.