Chrysosplenium oppositifolium aka Opposite Leaved Golden Saxifrage

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium is known as opposite-leaved golden saxifrage. It belongs to the saxifrage family, Saxifragaceae, and comes from Europe. It is native to Britain and Ireland, including much of Britain. This small plant grows in temperate regions. Its wild sites include stream banks, wet rock ledges, and boggy woods. It also grows beside springs and on wet, shaded mountain slopes.

The RHS describes it as a deciduous, herbaceous perennial. It reaches about 0.7 feet [0.2 metres] tall. Stolons let it creep across the ground and form loose mats. Its glossy leaves are round and grow in opposite pairs. The plant loses its leaves for part of the year. Tiny yellow flowers appear from early spring and last for several months. They grow in flat clusters, with yellow-tinted leaves around them. These leaves add to the colour of the flower clusters.

Shade and a steady water supply are its main needs. Give it full or partial shade in a sheltered place. A north-facing or east-facing site suits the RHS guidance. The soil must stay wet rather than dry between waterings. It can grow in clay, loam, or chalk soils. It also accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Poor drainage suits its need for wet ground. The RHS gives it a UK hardiness rating of H5. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 4–8. The RHS gives a maturity range of two to five years.

Its creeping growth makes it useful as ground cover in bog gardens. It also suits damp woodland gardens and shaded garden edges. The RHS suggests it for wildlife gardens. Choose these sites for their lasting moisture as well as shade. No pruning is needed, and seed or division can produce more plants. The RHS reports few pest problems, though rust may occur. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy. Its spreading habit still forms part of its value as ground cover.

Plants For A Future lists the leaves as edible, raw or cooked. They can go into salads or soups. The leaves are small and have a bitter taste. That bitterness becomes more marked during hot weather. The source gives its food value a score of two out of five. It lists no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. That hazard record does not establish safety for pets. Its supported garden role is chiefly a low cover for wet shade.