Aurinia saxatilis

Aurinia saxatilis or basket-of-gold is one of the brightest spots in my early spring garden.  It prefers dry, not overly-fertile, well-drained soil and full sun so it works well in a rock garden.  It has grey-green folliage and is semi-evergreen in this area.  It is deer-resistent and dought-tolerant so it has a lot to recommend it if placed in the right location.  It will experience root rot in wet soils or heavy clay with poor drainage.  Shearing the plant back by about one-third after flowering will keep it tidy and may prompt a second bloom.  Several sources indicated that Aurinia is not a long-lived plant in the St. Louis area but mine is over five-years old and going strong.