Aurinia is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae (mustard family), order Brassicales. Native to mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, Ukraine, southern European Russia, and Turkey, the genus comprises around seven accepted species of biennial or woody-based evergreen perennials.
Plants in this genus are closely related to Alyssum and share a similar appearance: low-growing mounds of grey-green foliage that erupt in dense panicles of bright yellow four-petalled flowers in early summer. The most widely cultivated species, Aurinia saxatilis (formerly known as Alyssum saxatile and commonly called gold dust or basket-of-gold), is a popular rock-garden and wall plant grown across temperate gardens worldwide for its profuse spring flowering.
The genus belongs to the tribe Alysseae within Brassicaceae and is distinguished from the closely related Alyssum primarily by its larger flowers and more robust habit. Other notable species include Aurinia petraea, found on rocky limestone outcrops, and Aurinia sinuata, native to the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey.
Etymology
The name Aurinia derives from the Latin aurum (gold), referring to the golden-yellow colour of the flowers characteristic of species in this genus. The most familiar species, Aurinia saxatilis, was long placed in the genus Alyssum (as Alyssum saxatile) before molecular work confirmed a distinct lineage.
Distribution
Aurinia species grow in mountainous habitats across central and southern Europe (including the Balkans, the Alps, and the Apennines), Ukraine, southern European Russia, and Turkey. They favour rocky limestone slopes, cliff faces, and scree at low to moderate elevations, often in calcareous, well-drained soils.
Cultivation
Aurinia saxatilis (basket-of-gold) is the most widely grown member of the genus and thrives in full sun with sharply drained, lean soils — conditions that mirror its native rocky habitats. It is commonly planted in rock gardens, along dry-stone walls, and at the front of borders. Plants tolerate poor, alkaline soils and drought once established but dislike prolonged wet winters. Light trimming after flowering helps maintain a compact habit and prolong the plant's lifespan. Propagation is by seed sown in spring or autumn, or by softwood cuttings taken in early summer.
