Green and Gold helps brighten garden beds

By Rae Ann Leedy

Chrysogonum virginianum

Are you looking for a plant to help brighten your garden beds? Add some cheer with Chrysogonum virginianum! This semi-evergreen, rhizomatous native perennial is a prolific bloomer that will bring joy to your garden from spring to summer.

Lovingly referred to as Green and Gold, or Goldenstar, C. virginianum has a demure, yet striking, daisy-like flower that is a welcome source of nectar for many native bees. It has fuzzy, ovate leaves that are soft-to-the-touch and a beautiful shade of emerald green. It is stoloniferous, slowly forming a dense, green mat that makes it an excellent groundcover. It is the kind of plant that fills in gaps, softens edges, and makes a garden feel more alive.

When choosing where to plant Green and Gold, you must consider the level of sun exposure and available water. The Native Plants for Virginia’s Capital Region guide states that C. virginianum prefers well-drained, moderately moist soils and part-shade. Areas with full sun will require supplemental watering. This species would not be a great candidate for planting in areas with full sun along hot hardscapes. It has fleshy leaves that can become easily scorched from excessive heat. It would be happiest being planted underneath the footing of other, much larger perennials, or in areas with low foot traffic, or when used as a border planting along a woodland path.

Chrysogonum virginianum is a popular native. It can be frequently found in local nurseries, or at native plant sales like the Annual Pollinator Festival and Spring Plant Sale held by Henrico County Master Gardeners. And once you have it, you can easily divide it by taking root cuttings in the fall. So go forth, buy natives like Goldenstar, take cuttings, and spread joy!