Description

Aurinia –

There are 7 species of clump forming biennials, perennials, in this genus.  They are found in rocky mountainous regions of Central and Southern Europe and eastward to the Ukraine and Turkey.  These mainly spreading to mound, woody based plants form rosettes of hairy, inversely lance shaped to spoon shaped leaves.  In spring and early summer it bears racemes or panicles of 4 petalled, yellow or white flowers.  These vigorous plants are great in a rock garden, or the front of a border or in rock crevices.

These frost hardy plants like light gritty, moderately fertile soil in full sun with good drainage.  Cut back after flowering to maintain compactness, if left un-trimmed they become leggy.

Prone to aphids.

Aurinia saxatilis – Alyssum saxatile – Basket of Gold – Cloth of Gold – Gold Dust – This loose mound forming evergreen, perennial is the most commonly grown species.  It derives from Central and Southeastern Europe and grows 8-10” tall and spreads to 12” wide.  It produces rosettes of obovate, occasional pinnatifid, toothed, hairy gray-green leaves 1 ¼-3” long.  In spring and early summer it’s smothered with dense panicles of bright yellow flowers to ½” wide.

Zones 4-9