Aurinia saxatilis
low
yellow
spring
8 to 12 in.
24 to 36 in.
No
Europe
sun
USDA zones 4-8
hardy to 9,000 ft.
Basket-of-gold is one of the most vibrant spring-blooming plants in the Pikes Peak area. It is a mounding plant with gray-green, fuzzy leaves. Its fragrant yellow flowers completely hide the leaves during the main bloom period in May.
After the blooms fade, tan, round seedheads form. This is an excellent (and popular) spring-flowering plant for the Colorado Springs area.
Basket-of-gold has performed very well at both Xeriscape Gardens. At the Cottonwood Creek Garden, the plants have become quite large and beautiful. Occasionally they will dieback partially over the winter. We simply prune those sections out and the plant recovers.
Cut off dried flower stalks after bloom, if desired. Cut out any dieback in late winter or early spring.