Basket-of-Gold (or Alyssum) is a charming little plant originally native to Central Europe, though you’ll also find it soaking up the sun in Southern Europe and Asia Minor. Gardeners absolutely love the varieties that produce those vibrant, punchy yellow blooms. The best part? It’s incredibly low-maintenance and isn’t picky at all about where it lives.
— Finding the Perfect Spot
If there’s one thing Basket-of-Gold loves, it’s the sun. When picking a spot in your garden, try to find a place where it can soak up as much direct sunlight as possible. It can handle partial shade if it has to, but just a heads-up: you won’t get nearly as many of those beautiful flowers. Because of its hardy nature, it looks fantastic in spots like:
- Stone walls
- Rock gardens
- Stone steps or crevices
- Garden troughs
- Path borders
- Window boxes
— A True Survivalist
When it comes to nutrients, this plant is a total minimalist. It actually thrives in poor soil and can even make a home for itself in the tiny gaps of a stone staircase or wall. The only “must-have” is good drainage. If you’re dealing with heavy, clay-like soil, make sure to mix in some sand or gravel before planting to loosen things up. You really don’t need to worry about fertilizer, either—in fact, fertilizing young plants usually backfires, giving you lots of green growth but very few flowers. Only give older, established plants a little “boost” if you notice their blooming starts to slow down.
— Spring Sowing Tips
Since young seedlings are a bit sensitive to frost, it’s best to wait until March or even April to start sowing your seeds. They’re happiest when the outdoor temperatures are sitting between 59°F and 65°F (15-18°C). If you decide to start your seeds indoors, wait until after the last frost in May before moving them outside. Once they’re settled in, they don’t require much special care and are tough enough to handle the winter outdoors without a problem.
