How to Plant and Grow Basket-Of-Gold

Basket-of-gold is one of those plants that loves to grow in the least likely of places—cracks between paving stones, the edges of gravel paths and patios, rocky outcroppings, and between the stacked stones of a retaining wall. The plant, which is native to southern and central Europe and Turkey, blooms in April or May, creating dazzling blankets of color. The large clusters of small flowers attached to upright stalks attract butterflies and bees. Most varieties flower in shades of yellow and gold, including a bright lemon yellow and soft creamy yellow. And after it finishes blooming, the grayish-green foliage forms a cool, attractive mat in the garden or landscape, pleasing the eye with or without flowers.

Basket-of-gold is easily grown as a perennial in areas with mild summers. In southern locations, it is usually grown as an annual.

Where to Plant Basket-Of-Gold

Basket-of-gold should be planted in a spot with full sun unless your summers are extremely hot. In that case, give it a location with afternoon shade. The soil needs to be well-drained; it can even be dry. Basket-of-gold does not have any particular soil pH requirements.

This low-growing, creeping plant is perfect for rock gardens and early summer borders. Because it stands up well to drought, it is also a good choice for xeriscaping.

How and When to Plant Basket-Of-Gold

The plant is most commonly sold at nurseries in the spring. Plant it when there is no longer any danger of frost. In general, potted specimens require a planting hole roughly twice the size of their root ball, planted at the same depth as it is in the pot, a deep watering at planting time, and regular watering intervals as the roots take hold.

Space the plants 12 to 18 inches apart. At first, it might look a bit bare, but the plants will fill the space within the season.

Basket-Of-Gold Care Tips

Light

Although best flowering occurs in full sun, the foliage of the plant benefits from afternoon shade in hot summer climates.

Soil and Water

Excellent drainage is key for the plant, soggy soil encourages root rot. Basket-of-soil grow in average to sandy, and even in dry soil with a pH anywhere between 5.0 and 8.0. 

Once established, the plant can be quite drought-tolerant.

Temperature and Humidity

The plant will struggle in hot, humid conditions and may die back in the summer. Therefore, it tends not to do well in the South where it is best grown as an annual.

Fertilizer

It is better not to fertilize the plant than to overfertilize it because too much fertilizer leads to poor flowering conditions and a looser growing habit. At the most, give it a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer every other year in the spring.

Pruning

After it has finished blooming in the summer, trim basket-of-gold by about half, which will help maintain a pleasant form and prevent it from aggressively self-seeding. During the season, remove any faded foliage for a neater appearance.

Allow the evergreen foliage to remain on the plant over the winter and only cut it back in the spring to make room for the new growth.

Potting and Repotting Basket-Of-Gold

Basket-of-gold grows well in pots. Choose a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting mix. You can either plant basket-of-gold on its own or in a larger mixed planter as a filler. Keep in mind that potted plants need more frequent watering and fertilization than inground plants.

While the plant is hardy down to zone 3 when planted in the landscape, potted plants need winter protection, as their roots are inadequately insulated against the cold. You can either bury the container in the ground in the fall, place it in a larger container filled with mulch, or wrap the container with burlap or bubble wrap.

As basket-of-gold is usually grown as an annual or short-lived perennial, repotting won’t be necessary.

Pests and Problems

The plant is not affected by any major pests and diseases though it does attract aphids. It is deer-resistant.

How to Propagate Basket-Of-Gold

Starting from seed is the best way to propagate basket-of-gold because established plants do not like to be disturbed.

To get a head start on the growing season, start the seeds indoors about eight weeks before your average last frost date. Sow seeds in flats or small pots filled with sterile damp potting mix. Press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them, as they need light to germinate. Keep them moist at a temperature of around 65 degrees F. The seeds germinate in 7 to 14 days. Place the seedlings under grow lights to prevent them from getting leggy. Harden off the seedlings before transplanting them in the garden after there is no more danger of frost.

Types of Basket-Of-Gold

'Citrina' Basket-Of-Gold

This variety of Aurinia grows 10 to 15 inches tall and has lemon yellow flowers. Zones 3-7

'Compacta' Basket-Of-Gold

Aurinia grows 8 to 10 inches tall and bears clear yellow blooms. Zones 3-7

'Gold Dust' Basket-Of-Gold

Dense Aurinia saxatilis plants are covered in small, bright yellow blossoms from late spring to early summer. Zones 3-7

Basket-Of-Gold Companion Plants

Verbena

Verbena is a spreading plant ideal for cascading over retaining walls, pots, baskets, and window boxes. As long as the soil is extremely well drained, verbena will reward gardeners with countless clusters of small blooms all season. It's fairly drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for hanging baskets, rock gardens, planting in cracks between stones, and other tight places. One annual verbena, 'Imagination', is a standout for taking the hottest, driest conditions. It will even do well in a clay strawberry pot!

Phlox

Phlox is one of those bounteous summer flowers any large sunny flowerbed or border shouldn't be without. There are several different kinds of phlox. Garden and meadow phlox produce large panicles of fragrant flowers in a wide assortment of colors. They also add height, heft, and charm to a border. Low-growing wild Sweet William, moss pinks, and creeping phlox are effective as ground covers, at the front of the border, and as rock and wild garden plants, especially in light shade. These native gems have been hybridized extensively especially to toughen the foliage against mildew problems; many recent selections are mildew-resistant. Phlox need amply moist soil for best overall health.

Rock Cress

Rock cress, as you can guess from the name, is one of those plants that like tough love -- give it a hot, dry crack between some stones somewhere and it will flourish. It can cover a stacked-stone wall or rocky outcropping with beautiful flowers. Purple rock cress usually has purple or blue flowers, but rock wall cress is more likely to bloom in white or pink. Both make attractive low mounds that look great at the edge of a retaining wall where they get full sun and excellent drainage. Cut stems back after spring bloom to keep plants compact.