A U R IN IA SA XA T1LIS

Golden d u st

A SHARP, ATTRACTIVE CONTRAST with the bright yellow YELLOW AND BLUE always make a lively colour combination, as
flowers of golden dust, against dusters of green, spoon-shape foliage. this wonderful planting of golden dust and Italian lavender proves.

FEATU RES CONDITIONS

This is a little, rounded, evergreen perennial Aspect Needs an open position in full sun.
that can grow from 10-30cm (4-12in) high, Site Soil must contain plenty of chalk, sand or grit,
forming a mound up to 40-5 Ocm (l6-20in) and be free draining but not rich.
across. In the species the flowers are a clear
yellow, but the various cultivars produce
EVERGREEN flowers in white, cream, lemon or rich gold. GROWING M E T H O D ________
Since its natural habitat is rocky, mountainous
country it is ideal for a rock garden, for dry, Propagation Grows readily from seed sown in the autumn.
sloping ground, or for edging garden beds Cultivars can be grown from tip cuttings taken
provided the drainage is excellent. It is also in late spring and early summer. Space the
ideally suited to troughs and the edges of large plants about 10cm (4in) apart, giving them
pots perhaps containing a shrub. Although plenty of growing room. Aurinia is sold among
golden dust is a perennial, some gardeners the alpines at garden centres.
grow it as part of an annual spring display. Feeding Small amounts only of complete plant food
may be given in early spring as a boost, but
feeding is not essential.
Problems No specific problems are known besides poor
A U R IN IA AT A G LA N C E drainage. Overwatering pot-grown specimens
A. saxatilis is an evergreen, hardy perennial forming decent can quickly rot and kill the plants.
clumps topped by yellow flowers. Hardy to -18C (0F).
J an / R e c o m m e n d e d V a r ie t ie s
FLOWERING ________________
Feb / Aurinia saxatilis 'Citrina'
M ar transplant A. s. Compacta Season Flowers appear from mid- to late spring, the
A pr / A. r. Dudley Nevill flowers completely covering the plant and
hiding the foliage.
M ay flowering Af A. s. Goldkugel
Cutting The flowers are not suitable for picking.
J un flowering ' A. s. Silver Queen
J uly /
A ug / C o m p a n io n P l a n t s AFTER FLOWERING
Se pt / Aurinia corymbosa
Requirements It is probably easiest to shear radically over the
O ct sow Aubrieta
whole plant with clippers, unless you are
N ov / waiting for the seed to ripen. Shearing the
D ec / plants also helps to keep a compact, neatly
rounded shape.

THE C O M P L E T E B O O K OF G A R D E N F L O W E R S 1 2 9 A U R I N I A S A X A T IL I S