Chrysogonum virginianum – Golden Knee – Golden Star –

Description

Chrysogonum – Golden Knee – Golden Star –

There is a single species of a low running, rhizomatous perennial, in this genus. It occurs in rich woodland soils in the Eastern USA. From runners sprouts heart shaped leaves arranged in opposite pairs. The bright yellow flowers, resemble those of small, single zinnias, with 5 broad petals, and produced over a long period from early spring into fall.   C. virginianum is grown as a groundcover.

Grow in moist but well drained, humus rich soil in sun or partial shade. Divide runners in spring or autumn.

C. virginianum – This low growing, mat forming, creeping perennial from Eastern USA grows 10″ tall and 24″ wide. It produces long, reddish green leaf stalks and opposite, heart shaped to ovate-oblong, hairy, mid green leaves, 1-4″ long, with scalloped to toothed edges. From early spring to fall, branched stems carry solitary, daisy like to star shaped yellow flowers, 1 ½” across, each have 5 large, triangular petals around a central disk. Evergreen in mild winters.

Zones 5-9