Basket Of Gold (Aurinia saxatilis) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Basket Of Gold
Latin Name: Aurinia saxatilis
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 3–7
Typical Height: 6–12 in (15–30 cm)
Typical Spread: 12–24 in (30–60 cm)
Bloom Period: Spring, typically April–May in temperate northern hemisphere climates
Soil Preferences: Sharp well drained, gritty or rocky soils. Prefers neutral to alkaline pH but tolerates poor soils. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions which lead to decline.
Light Preferences: Full sun for best flowering. Light afternoon shade tolerated but heavy shade reduces flowering and can cause legginess.
Toxicity: Limited published toxicity data. No widely reported severe toxicity but avoid pet ingestion and confirm with poison control for your area. Skin contact may irritate sensitive individuals.
Propagation: Seed sown in cool conditions, division in spring or fall, and softwood cuttings after flowering. Sow seeds thinly and provide good drainage.

Key Facts

Low, mat forming evergreen or semi evergreen perennial subshrub
Masses of golden yellow flowers in spring
Well suited to rock gardens, slopes, and edging
Prefers full sun and sharp well drained soil
Tolerates poor, rocky, and alkaline soils when established
Drought tolerant once established
Responds well to light pruning after flowering to maintain compact habit

Basket Of Gold is a low, mat forming evergreen or semi evergreen perennial subshrub noted for masses of golden yellow spring flowers. It is most often used where a bright, low groundcover is needed and prefers sunny, sharply drained sites where it stays compact with light maintenance.

Identification

Basket Of Gold produces dense, low mounds 6 to 12 inches high and typically 12 to 24 inches across, with small greyish leaves and clusters of golden yellow blooms in spring. The plant is evergreen or semi evergreen in milder climates and forms a spreading mat rather than an upright shrub, making it easy to recognize in rock garden plantings.

Best uses and where to grow

Use it as a rock garden plant, slope stabilizer, low border or informal edging where bright spring color is needed and other plants might struggle. It prefers full sun for best flowering and tolerates poor, rocky or alkaline soils once established, which makes it well suited to exposed sites and sharply drained planting conditions.

Planting time and spacing

For established plants and divisions choose spring or fall planting and place specimens about 12 to 24 inches apart to allow matting without overcrowding. Spacing near the lower end suits compact cultivars while larger selections need the upper range. Avoid planting in heavy, waterlogged soils that cause decline.

Soil and watering

Basket Of Gold prefers sharp, well drained gritty or rocky soils and tolerates neutral to alkaline conditions. Once established it is drought tolerant, but soils that stay wet or waterlogged cause poor health and decline. Water newly planted specimens regularly until established then reduce frequency to avoid soggy conditions.

After flowering care

Light pruning after flowering keeps the mound compact and encourages fresh basal growth. Remove any woody or straggly stems and trim back flowered shoots to maintain shape. Where the plant becomes congested, divide in spring or fall to rejuvenate clumps and control spread while preserving spring blooms.

Propagation and maintenance

Propagate by seed, division in spring or fall, or softwood cuttings taken after flowering. Sow seed thinly on free draining mix and avoid excessive moisture. Division renews older clumps and is also the simplest way to expand plantings or share material with other parts of the garden.

Planting in containers and small spaces

It performs best in shallow, sharply drained mixes that mimic rock garden conditions and in containers placed in full sun. Choose a free draining potting blend and avoid deep, moisture retentive soils. In small spaces use it as a low edging or to spill over a raised rockery where its mat forming habit is visible.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Basket Of Gold grow?: Growth rate varies by site and cultivar but plants typically spread to 12 to 24 inches over multiple seasons as they form a low mat. Establishment is quicker in well drained, sunny locations.
Is Basket Of Gold hardy?: Yes. It is commonly listed for USDA zones 3 to 7 and is described as hardy in rock garden and exposed sites. Local performance can vary with microclimate and winter severity.
When does it bloom?: Blooming is in spring, typically April to May in temperate northern hemisphere climates. Exact timing will vary with local climate and season.
Does it tolerate poor soils?: Yes. Once established it tolerates poor, rocky and alkaline soils but does poorly in heavy clay or waterlogged ground. Sharp drainage is more important than soil fertility.
How do I keep it from overtaking an area?: Control spread with light pruning after flowering and by lifting and dividing congested clumps in spring or fall. Proper spacing at planting also reduces the need for later thinning.