Aurinia saxatilis aka Basket Of Gold

Aurinia saxatilis is a low, evergreen perennial in the mustard family. Gardeners call it basket-of-gold, golden tuft, or yellow alyssum. Kew places its native range in central Europe and the northern Balkans. Other sources give a wider range reaching Turkey and the Caucasus. It grows among rocks and in stony places. Its spreading form suits gardens that echo these dry, rocky sites.

Plants form rounded mounds about 0.5–1 foot (0.15–0.30 metres) tall. They spread about 1–1.5 feet (0.30–0.46 metres) wide. RHS gives an upper size of 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) both ways. Growth proceeds at a moderate rate. Soft hairs cover the grey-green leaves, giving them a velvety feel. The simple leaves have smooth edges and alternate along green stems. Broad, spoon-shaped leaves grow at the base. Smaller, narrower leaves grow higher on the stems. The foliage stays green through the year.

Small yellow flowers crowd the plant in April and May. The spring display can last four to six weeks. Each cup-shaped flower has four petals. The flowers grow in clustered heads above the leaves. Bees visit them, adding value to a pollinator garden. Seed pods follow the flowers and mature in summer. These siliquas turn brown as they dry. Each pod splits open to release its seeds.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. Sandy and shallow, rocky soils suit it. RHS also lists loam and chalk as suitable soils. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Use soil with moderate fertility rather than a rich planting bed. The plant tolerates drought and dry soil. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 4–7; NC State includes zone 3. RHS rates it H5 for UK gardens. Heat and high humidity can shorten its life. Cool summer sites help the leaves last as ground cover.

Use it at border fronts, on slopes, or in rock gardens. Its stems can trail over stones and low walls. It also suits containers, gravel gardens, and garden edges. Deer resistance adds to its landscape value. Cut plants back after bloom to keep their shape compact. Seeds, division, and softwood cuttings offer ways to raise new plants. Aphids may attack it, but RHS reports few disease problems. Plants can be short-lived, even where winters suit them. PFAF lists no known food or medicinal uses. It reports no known hazards, rather than proof of safety.