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Madwort Wikimedia Commons
Brassicaceae

Madwort

Aurinia saxatilis

Golden wealth and overflowing abundance.

Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Aurinia
Native to
central and southeastern Europe, Turkey
Bloom season
Spring
Type
herbaceous perennial
Height
15–30 cm
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, rocky, poor to average
Water
low; drought-tolerant
Hardiness
3–7
Lifespan
short-lived perennial; 3–5 years

Did you know

  • Formerly known as Alyssum saxatile, it was renamed Aurinia — from the Latin 'aureus' meaning golden.
  • The name 'madwort' comes from the ancient belief that it could cure madness and rabies.
  • It cascades brilliantly over rock walls and retaining walls, creating waterfalls of gold in spring.
  • The cultivar 'Basket of Gold' is one of the most widely sold rock garden plants in the world.
  • After flowering, it should be cut back hard or it becomes leggy and open in the center.

Color meanings

Yellow

golden happiness

Gold

wealth and prosperity

Uses

  • rock gardens
  • wall cascading
  • dry borders
  • ground cover
  • spring color