Alyssum saxatilis Goldkugel

Aurinia saxatilis 'Goldkugel' is a particularly compact and floriferous gold basket. It is a perennial plant forming spreading tufts more compact than most, with foliage composed of small evergreen and downy leaves, of a grey-green colour. They are submerged in spring under an abundant golden cloud, made up of a multitude of small flowers of a very bright yellow. Dazzling, hardy, and drought-tolerant, it is a fabulous rockery or flowering wall plant, really easy to grow in well-drained soil and in the sun.

Aurinia saxatilis is also known by the Latin name Alyssum saxatile, and the common names of Gold Basket or Yellow Alyssum. This small perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family is actually related to mustard and cabbage. Native to mountainous and rocky regions of Central and Southeast Europe, this species is the only one commonly encountered in cultivation. It has given rise to some very interesting cultivars, including the 'Goldkugel' variety, which is particularly floriferous.

The 'Goldkugel' gold basket forms spreading tufts 25 cm (10in) high in flower, and 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) wide.  Its base becomes woody over time. It has small evergreen oval-shaped grey-green leaves. Flowering takes place in April-May, for about 1 month, depending on the climate and growing conditions, and if care is taken to remove the faded flower stalks, the flowering may slightly repeat in autumn. The tiny flowers are grouped in numerous corymbs (small clusters) that completely cover the plant.

Following the forsythias and accompanying tulips, which are widely used in gardens, the gold basket alyssums can be established in any well-drained soil, even rocky and occasionally dry soil. They are perfect plants for covering the top of walls, the spaces between rocks in a rockery, just like aubrietas and bellflowers. They dress the base of perennials (wallflowers, creeping roses) and small bushes such as ballota, shrubby salvias, lavenders, or caryopteris. They can also be planted along a pathway, in well-drained soil. They also perform very well in pots and containers.