Heartleaf Arnica
Family: Asteraceae
Native to: Western North America
Hardy to zone: 4
Eco benefits: attracts pollinators, medicinal
Natural habitat: understory, prairies, mountains, inner forests, hillsides & uplands, rocky slopes, forest edge
Shapes: clump, upright
Common uses: shade garden
Light: partial shade
Soil: moist and fertile, well drained, acid ph, dry
Hearleaf arnica is an attractive perennial wildflower in the sunflower family. It's native to western North America, found on forest edges, slopes, or meadows at elevation or mountainous areas. The plant gets its name from opposite pairs of heart shaped leaves, but can also be found with arrow shaped, or narrower leaves if grown in drier areas. In spring, flowers with broad golden disk florets with matching yellow disk florets appear. Bloom time may extend as far as late summer. Heartleaf arnica is very similar to broadleaf arnica (Arnica latifolia) and hybridizes with it through most of its range.
