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Mountain of Gold Alyssum is a compact perennial flower that transforms borders, walkways, and rock gardens with masses of brilliant yellow blooms. This hardy cultivar of Aurinia saxatilis thrives across zones 3 through 11, reaching just 4 to 6 inches tall and forming dense, trailing mounds that burst into flower within 60 to 69 days of germination. Its drought tolerance and preference for full sun make it exceptionally low-maintenance, while its diminutive size and elegant habit earn it a place in any gardener's rotation.
Full Sun
Low
3-11
6in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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Expect eye-catching half-inch yellow flowers that completely cover compact mounds in a relatively short 56 to 63 days from seed. This drought-tolerant trailing perennial handles cold winters without flinching and thrives in the lean, well-draining soils where many other flowers struggle. Plant it 6 inches apart and let it sprawl naturally, and you'll have a cascading display that anchors rock gardens, softens hardscape edges, and adds luminous color to patios year after year.
Mountain of Gold Alyssum is grown as a flowering accent plant, used to highlight and accentuate walkways, borders, fences, and patios. Its compact mounding habit and trailing tendency make it especially valuable for reinvigorating stale flower beds, softening the edges of rock gardens, and creating defined edging along pathways where its brilliant yellow flowers draw the eye and add architectural interest to landscape design.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Provide a warm germination environment of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds typically germinate within 10 to 14 days under these conditions.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days by exposing them to outdoor conditions in increasing increments. Space transplants 6 inches apart.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in spring after the last frost date, pressing them lightly into the soil surface since they benefit from light exposure for germination.
Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly throughout the blooming season to encourage continuous flowering and maintain the plant's compact, tidy mounded habit. After flowering has finished or in early spring before new growth emerges, you can shear back overgrown plants to rejuvenate them and promote denser growth. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall, as this can reduce winter hardiness.
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