Pineland Silkgrass,  Pityopsis aspera 

A tough, beautiful native perennial known for its bright golden-yellow daisies and its unique fuzzy, silver-green foliage. The common name comes from the plant's unique foliage. The leaves are long, linear, and covered in fine, silky, silver-white hairs, giving the plant a distinctive silvery or woolly appearance that helps reflect sunlight and conserve moisture in its arid habitat.

Conditions

Full Sun (6+ hours daily).  Absolutely requires bright, direct sunlight for robust growth and maximum flowering. Thrives in low-nutrient, well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils. Will not tolerate rich, heavy, or wet soils. Dry Conditions (Xeriscape). Highly drought-tolerant once established. Native to dry sandhills and scrub. Overwatering is detrimental. Mature Size,1 to 2 feet tall (30–60 cm). Forms a cluster of low-lying rosettes with upright flowering stems. Coastal Plain plant. Native to dry pinelands, sandhills, scrub, and disturbed areas.

Late-Season Color: This perennial provides a vital splash of color, blooming profusely with bright golden-yellow, daisy-like flower heads throughout late summer and fall (Phenology: Jul–Oct per FSUS).

Ecological Value: The late-season blooms provide crucial nectar and pollen for migrating butterflies, bees, and other pollinators when many other summer flowers have finished. The plant is resistant to deer and rabbit browsing due to its tough, hairy texture.

Seed Dormancy & Germination

Pityopsis aspera seeds are generally less complicated than those of many other native perennials, but may benefit from 30 days of cold-moist stratification, fall sowing, or using Winter sowing techniques.

Direct Fall Sowing (Recommended) Sow seeds directly outdoors in late autumn (October to December).

Scatter seeds onto the surface of a well-drained, sandy site. Lightly press them into the soil, but do not cover them deeply, as they often require light for germination. Natural winter conditions will aid germination the following spring.