Practical
Plants

Aurinia saxatilis

Golden Alyssum

a perennial evergreen member of the Aurinia genus in the family Brassicaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Aurinia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.25 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Lepidoptera
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant for a sunny position[6][8], forming a slowly spreading carpet of growth[10].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Europe. A garden escape in Britain[5].
Habitat
Stony places and amongst rocks[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 weeks at 16c[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown outdoors, either in a seedbed or in situ. Division in March or October[3]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whilst smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well. Cuttings in early summer[1][3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils[3]. Prefers a sunny position and a well-drained soil[1][9]. Best when grown in a soil that is not too rich[9]. Drought tolerant once established[7], plants can be grown on dry-stone walls and also old brick walls[10][11]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are several named varieties[7]. A good bee and butterfly plant[12].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

  8. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  10. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  11. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  12. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

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