Basket-of-Gold

Give this groundcover the exposed edge of a rock garden, raised bed, retaining wall, or sunny bank, where its low growth can spill toward open space without covering a path. It also works in a repeated drift at the front of a dry border or as a small-scale mass planting. Keep taller plants behind it or set them well back so the mound receives direct sun and its spring display is not visually crowded.^[1][2]

Set plants 15 inches apart, center to center, for a continuous-looking planting while still allowing each mound to develop. A mature plant can spread about 18 inches, so do not treat the spacing as a clear gap between edges. Along a wall or bed front, keep the planting line far enough from paving that the mature foliage and flower stems remain out of the walking surface.

Reserve full sun and low-water portions of the plan for Basket-of-Gold. Place it in sharply drained soil, especially where sand, gravel, rock, or a raised slope prevents water from lingering around the crown. Avoid low pockets, dense wet ground, and heavy clay sites that stay damp; those conditions can lead to rot and weaken the planting.^[1][2]

The main show arrives in spring, when the low foliage is covered with yellow flowers for several weeks. Leave enough open foreground around each clump for that seasonal color to register from paths and seating areas. Shearing plants back after flowering helps preserve a compact outline, so plan access from a bed edge or stepping route rather than burying the clumps behind other perennials.^[1][3]