Gray’s Townsend Daisy: A Rare Colorado Alpine Gem Worth Protecting
If you’re drawn to unique native plants with a story to tell, Gray’s Townsend daisy (Townsendia glabella) might just capture your heart. This charming little perennial is one of Colorado’s special botanical treasures, though you’ll need to be extra thoughtful about how you bring it into your garden.
What Makes Gray’s Townsend Daisy Special?
Gray’s Townsend daisy is a native Colorado perennial that belongs to the sunflower family. As a forb – basically a non-woody flowering plant – it forms low-growing cushions that hug the ground, making it perfectly adapted to harsh alpine conditions. The plant produces delicate daisy-like flowers with white to pale purple petals surrounding bright yellow centers, creating a cheerful display against rocky terrain.
Where Does It Call Home?
This special plant is found exclusively in Colorado, making it what botanists call an endemic species. It thrives in the state’s alpine and subalpine regions, where it has adapted to extreme conditions that would challenge most garden plants.
A Word of Caution: This Plant Needs Our Protection
Here’s something important every gardener should know: Gray’s Townsend daisy has a Global Conservation Status of S2, meaning it’s considered Imperiled. With typically only 6 to 20 occurrences and few remaining individuals in the wild, this plant is quite rare and vulnerable.
What does this mean for you as a gardener? If you’re interested in growing Gray’s Townsend daisy, please only obtain plants or seeds from reputable sources that practice responsible collection methods. Never collect from wild populations, and consider supporting conservation efforts for this species.
Why Grow Gray’s Townsend Daisy?
Despite its rarity challenges, there are compelling reasons to consider this plant:
- It’s a true Colorado native that supports local ecosystems
- The flowers attract specialized alpine pollinators, including small native bees
- It’s incredibly hardy and drought-tolerant once established
- Perfect for rock gardens and alpine plant collections
- Low maintenance once you get the growing conditions right
Growing Conditions and Care
Gray’s Townsend daisy isn’t your typical garden center plant, and it has some specific needs:
Sunlight: Prefers full sun but benefits from some protection during the hottest part of the day in lower elevations.
Soil: The absolute must-have is excellent drainage. This plant cannot tolerate wet feet and thrives in rocky, well-draining soil similar to its native alpine habitat.
Water: Once established, it’s quite drought-tolerant. In fact, overwatering is more likely to kill it than underwatering.
Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 3-6, this plant is built for cold winters and can handle temperature extremes.
Best Garden Settings
Gray’s Townsend daisy shines in:
- Rock gardens with excellent drainage
- Alpine plant collections
- Specialized native plant gardens
- Xeriscaping projects focused on Colorado natives
- Container gardens with appropriate drainage
Planting and Care Tips
Success with Gray’s Townsend daisy comes down to mimicking its natural habitat:
- Plant in spring after the last frost
- Ensure perfect drainage – consider raised beds or containers if your soil retains moisture
- Add gravel or sand to improve soil drainage
- Water sparingly, especially during establishment
- Avoid fertilizing – these plants are adapted to nutrient-poor soils
- Mulch with gravel rather than organic matter
The Bottom Line
Gray’s Townsend daisy is a fascinating native plant that deserves our respect and protection. While it’s not the easiest plant to grow or find, gardeners who appreciate rare natives and have the right growing conditions might find it a rewarding addition to their collection. Just remember to source responsibly and consider yourself a steward of this imperiled species.
If you’re new to native gardening or looking for easier Colorado natives to start with, consider exploring some of the state’s more common native daisies first. But if you’re up for the challenge and committed to conservation, Gray’s Townsend daisy could become a treasured part of your garden’s story.
