The Flowering Ground Cover That Adds Color & Texture To Rock Gardens Or Gravel Paths

Rock gardens and gravel paths are popular landscaping choices for homeowners. They do a great job of making an outdoor space look more polished and intentionally designed. However, these landscaping elements can look dull without additional decorative details. Luckily, there's a flowering ground cover you can use to give them more color and texture. Basket-of-gold (Aurinia saxatilis) is the stunning blooming plant that does the trick. Sara Bendrick, owner of Sarita Landscapes, HGTV Host, and National Spokesperson for STIHL Inc., shared her expert insight on the flowering ground cover while speaking exclusively to House Digest.

Bendrick confirmed that basket-of-gold is perfect for rock garden spaces and makes an excellent border plant, revealing why the flowering ground cover thrives in these outdoor environments. "Because it does well with high heat and grows in low nutrient soils," she shared. If you would like to liven up your own rock garden or gravel path, consider planting basket-of-gold to add color and texture. Below, we'll walk you through the pros and cons of growing basket-of-gold in your landscape, so that you can decide whether you really need this ground cover. 

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Bendrick revealed the advantages of planting basket-of-gold in the yard. "Basket-of-gold have beautiful yellow flowers that can brighten up a path," the HGTV host explained. She also shared that these plants are drought tolerant. Since it doesn't require frequent watering to survive, basket-of-gold is a great fit for homeowners looking for low-maintenance plants that will thrive in the sun. 

Basket-of-gold's drought tolerance also makes it a good fit for those who live in drier regions. Meanwhile, the plant's petite size should help keep the landscape clean and tidy. As Bendrick explained, "Aurinia saxatilis is a great plant for rock gardens [because] it's small, about 1-foot tall and wide, and can be a great [border] plant." This is one of the traits that make basket-of-gold a great ground cover option for areas you don't want to get obstructed by uncontrolled growth. That said, despite the benefits, basket-of-gold also comes with a few downsides. "It's susceptible to root rot if overwatered [and] might grow best as an annual in hot and humid climates," Bendrick said of the plant.

Interested in planting basket-of-gold in your yard? Sara Bendrick shared a few planting tips that will help you successfully grow healthy plants. "[This plant] grows best in [sand] or sandy loam and well drained soil," she explained while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "Full sun is best, but afternoon [protection from] sun can help [in] super hot climates." Regular care is so simple that even a beginner can do it, and the plant's requirements are easy to satisfy. According to Bendrick, all it needs is full sun and deep but infrequent waterings; fertilization is not only unnecessary — the plant will actually thrive without fertilizer. 

If you don't have a rock garden or a gravel path in your yard, there's one other place you can incorporate basket-of-gold to add a little color and liven up your landscape. "Because it loves well-drained rocky soil, it could [also] do well on rocky slopes," Bendrick revealed. Now that you know what it takes to grow healthy basket-of-gold and where you can plant it, consider giving it a try in your yard.