Please note: Due to icy conditions the Children's Garden is closed Monday, January 13
The Morton Arboretum Get tickets
Browse Trees and Plants

Green and gold

Chrysogonum virginianum

Common names:
green and gold, goldenstar, golden knee

Content Detail

Green and gold is a small ground cover that produces an abundance of bright yellow, star-shaped flowers in spring.

  • Family (English) Aster
  • Family (botanic) Asteraceae
  • Tree or plant type Ground cover, Perennial
  • Native locale North America
  • Size range Low-growing plant (under 6 inches)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Occasional flooding
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer
  • Flower color and fragrance Yellow
  • Shape or form Creeping, Mounded
  • Growth rate Moderate

Size and Method of Spreading:

Green and gold is a low growing, 4 to 8 inches high ground cover that can spread out to a foot and a half wide. This ground cover is colonizing, producing underground stems that spread out horizontally and shallowly, produce roots, and then send up new shoots. Green and gold is not aggressive like other colonizing ground covers.

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is native to much of eastern North America.

Leaf description:

The opposite leaves are ovate with scalloped margins.

Flower description:

The bright yellow spring and early summer flowers have five petals, giving them a star-shape. 

Fruit, cone, nut and seed descriptions:

The fruits (achenes) are flattened, ribbed and one seeded.  They are not ornamentally important.

Plant Care:

Green and gold can grow in a wide range of light exposures from full sun to fairly full shade.  It prefers well-drained, acidic soils. Full sun sites require consistent moisture. In hot, southern climates, shaded sites are best.

Eco lacquered spider green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Eco Lacquered Spider’):

It produces long, purplish runners and deeply notched flowers.

Pierre green and gold (Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Pierre’):

This cultivar has a flat growth habit and extended flowering time.

Photo Gallery (1)

Slider

Slider

1

Donate

Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Make a gift