About Aurinia saxatilis (L.) Desv.
Aurinia saxatilis (L.) Desv. is a small, rounded, evergreen perennial. It grows 4 to 12 inches tall, and forms a mound that can reach 16 to 20 inches across. Its species-type flowers are clear yellow, while available cultivars produce blooms in white, cream, lemon, peach, or gold. Because this plant naturally grows in rocky, mountainous regions, it is ideal for rock gardens, dry sloping ground, and edging garden beds, as long as it has excellent drainage. It is also well-suited for growing in plant troughs and along the edges of large pots, which may also contain a shrub. Though it is a perennial, some gardeners grow it as part of annual spring displays. This plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, and has also been selected as one of the RHS Plants for Pollinators, a group of plants confirmed to provide nectar and pollen for bees and many other types of pollinating insects. After completing a rigorous trial and assessment programme, the RHS found this plant to be robust, with stable colour and stable form. It is largely resistant to pests and diseases. Several named cultivars are available: 'Citrina', which has paler yellow blooms than the standard species form; 'Dudley Neville', which has golden yellow or tan-tinged blooms sometimes described as "biscuit"; and 'Variegata', which has leaves with cream-coloured margins.
