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Basket-of-Gold

Aurinia saxatilis

Common names:
Basket-of-Gold, Goldentuft madwort, Goldentuft alyssum

Content Detail

Basket-of-Gold produces a blanket of bright yellow flowers in early to mid-spring on spreading clumps of oblong, gray-green foliage. Basket-of-Gold is best used in the front of a border or draping over the edges of stones in a rock garden.

  • Family (English) Mustard
  • Family (botanic) Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
  • Tree or plant type Perennial
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small plant (6-12 inches)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Dry soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Dry sites, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest late spring, early summer
  • Flower color and fragrance Yellow
  • Shape or form Creeping, Weeping
  • Growth rate Moderate

Size: 

This mounded, creeping plant is 9 to 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide.

Native geographic location and habitat: 

This plant is native to Russia, Turkey, and central Europe.

Attracts birds or pollinators: 

This plant attracts butterflies.

Leaf description: 

The leaves are alternate, with one leaf per node and semi-evergreen. They are 2 to 5 inches long with smaller stem leaves. They are oblong, gray, and fuzzy.

Flower description:

The bright yellow flowers are borne on panicles. Each flower has four petals.

Fruit description:

The fruit is a two-section dry pod, 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches long. It splits open when ripe to release the seeds.

Plant care: 

Cut back the plant by one-third to one-half after it flowers to help shape it and prolong its life. The plant requires good drainage and prefers dry soil. It will sprawl in overly rich soil. It prefers not to be divided. 

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: 

This plant has no serious pests, but it is short-lived, especially in the southern portions of its zone.

Compact Basket-of-Gold (Aurinia saxatilis ‘Compactum’): 

This cultivar is smaller in stature, with a rounded habit and bright yellow flowers. It grows 6 to 8 inches tall.

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