Alyssum montanum (Aurinia) Mountain Gold: early yellow flowering evergreen ground cover

Alyssum montanum Mountain Gold, also known as Aurinia Mountain Gold, is an evergreen, cushion-shaped perennial that blooms profusely in early spring with bright yellow flowers. This spring bloomer forms a low carpet of gray-green foliage, making it ideal as groundcover in borders, rock gardens, walls, and slopes.

The Mountain Gold variety stands out for its early flowering, adding color and texture to gardens in early spring. The abundant, fragrant yellow flowers appear above the compact foliage, creating a stunning visual effect that fits perfectly into both classic and modern garden designs.

Flowers and growth characteristics

Alyssum montanum Mountain Gold develops dense, cushion-shaped rosettes of gray-green foliage from which bright yellow flowers unfold. These flowers exude a light fragrance, making them not only visually appealing but also attracting insects such as bees and butterflies.

Its compact, evergreen habit makes Mountain Gold ideal for rock gardens, walls, slopes, and ground cover, where it forms a low carpet of color. The foliage retains its grayish-green hue throughout the winter, providing year-round structure and ornamental value.

Cultivation and care

Alyssum montanum Mountain Gold is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and easy to care for, making it suitable for both home gardens and commercial applications. Key growing characteristics:

• Location: full sun; light shade is tolerated, but flowering is more profuse in sun

• Soil: well-drained, light to medium-heavy, preferably calcareous

• Water requirements: drought tolerant once established; water regularly during the first year of growth

• Planting distance: 20–30 cm between plants for a dense carpet

• Flowering period: early spring, often from March/April

After flowering, the plant can be pruned back lightly to maintain its compact, cushion-shaped character and to encourage subsequent flowering.

Applications in garden design

Alyssum montanum Mountain Gold is a versatile and functional plant for various uses:

• Ground cover: compact and evergreen, perfect for large areas

• Rock gardens and slopes: drought-tolerant and easy to maintain

• Borders and walls: adds colour and structure in early spring

• Pots and container planting: provides abundant flowering and evergreen foliage early in the season

• Insect and bee plant: attracts beneficial insects and promotes biodiversity

Its early flowering and drought tolerance make Mountain Gold an excellent choice for sustainable and low-maintenance gardens, where colour, fragrance and ecological value come together.

Professional benefits

Alyssum montanum Mountain Gold offers several benefits for gardeners, landscapers, and landscapers:

• Early blooming yellow flowers for early spring color

• Evergreen foliage that provides structure all year round

• Drought tolerant and low maintenance

• Compact, cushion-shaped habit ideal for ground cover and rock gardens

• Attractive to bees and other beneficial insects

These properties make Mountain Gold a reliable choice for both residential and commercial gardens where visual impact and ease of maintenance are paramount.

In short: bright yellow spring classic

Alyssum montanum (Aurinia) Mountain Gold combines evergreen foliage, cushion-shaped growth, and early yellow blooms in one versatile perennial. Key features:

• Evergreen, cushion-shaped foliage for structure and ground cover

• Early blooming bright yellow flowers for color in early spring

• Drought tolerant and low maintenance

• Versatile: borders, rock gardens, slopes, walls and pots

• Insect friendly: attracts bees and butterflies

With its beautiful yellow flowers, evergreen foliage, and durable nature, Alyssum montanum Mountain Gold is an ideal plant for garden enthusiasts, landscapers, and landscape professionals who want to add color, fragrance, and ecological value to their garden early in the season.