SafePlants

Basket-of-Gold: A Sunny Addition to Your Garden

Basket-of-gold (Aurinia saxatilis) is a delightful perennial known for its vibrant golden flowers that create a stunning display in spring. Once classified within the Alyssum genus, it now proudly belongs to the mustard family (Brassicaceae).

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is commonly found in rock gardens and as ground cover, making it potentially accessible to pets that spend time outdoors.

Considerations for Children

• Basket-of-gold is a common sight in gardens, including rock gardens.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Aurinia saxatilis
• Formerly Known As: Alyssum saxatile
• Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
• Synonyms: Alyssum saxatile

Common Names

• Basket of Gold
• Goldentuft Alyssum
• Golden Alyssum
• Golden Alison
• Gold-Dust
• Golden-Tuft Alyssum
• Golden-Tuft Madwort
• Rock Madwort
• Perennial Alyssum

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to sunny areas of central and southern Europe, particularly the Mediterranean region.
• Thrives in rocky environments, cracks between paving stones, and along gravel paths.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Evergreen perennial.
• Grows to approximately 0.3 meters (1 foot) in height and width.
• Forms a low, bushy mound of grey-green foliage.
• Known for its dense covering of iridescent lemon-yellow flowers.
• Spreading habit, making it suitable as a groundcover.

Ecological Role

• Not typically considered invasive, though it self-sows.
• Can act as a ground cover.

Cultivation

• Grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 7.
• Prefers sunny locations and drier soils.
• Suitable for rock gardens, alpine beds, and cascading over rock walls.
• Can be planted in poor, dry soils.
• Drought-tolerant.

Companion Plants

• Pairs well with Cerastium, Iberis, and Phlox subulata.
• Can be combined with red tulips and blue phlox for a vibrant spring display.