There's a lot to love about Zizia aurea, notably: it's a full-sun perennial that blooms in May! 
 
     Early blooming full suns can be hard to find, which is among reasons Golden Alexanders go in all my sunny gardens.  It's also clump forming and not too tall.
 
     A pollinator favorite, butterflies, moths, native bees, beetles and other flying things flock to Golden Alexanders.  It's an excellent plant for a pollinator or butterfly garden.
 
     Fun Fact: Golden Alexander was selected as the North Carolina Botanical Garden's Wildflower of the Year for 2012.