Green-and-gold is a rhizomatous, low-growing, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial that typically forms an easily-controlled foliage mat up to 2 inches tall while spreading up to 18 inches wide or more. It is native to woodland areas from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. It is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae). The species epithet is Latin for "Virginian." Green-and-gold is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. This plant prefers moist, acidic, humus-rich soils in sun-dappled shade. It will tolerate full sun only if grown in consistently moist soils. Spent flower stems should be removed for the best appearance. This plant can be grown from seed and may self-seed in the garden. Growth rate is moderate to rapid. Green-and-gold makes a good evergreen groundcover. Use in the garden as a shady ground cover, in woodland gardens, native plant gardens. pollinator gardens or naturalized areas. It can be used as edging for woodland paths or in shaded areas of border fronts or rock gardens. Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There is some susceptibility to mildew, but it is rarely a serious problem.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 2 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are medium green, simple, bluntly-toothed, long-stalked, with sparse hairs.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Daisy-like, bright yellow flowers on stems originating in the leaf axils. In hot summer climates, bloom is profuse in spring but usually becomes sparse or stops in the heat of the summer, with a light rebloom occurring in fall. Flowering stems rise above the foliage mat to a height of 8 to 10 inches tall. Each flower has five, rounded, slightly notched, yellow petals and a center tuft of yellow disk flowers. Blooms from March to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Displays from April to July.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern U.S.A.
Distribution
The coastal Mid-Atlantic, from PA south to SC.
Wildlife value
Its flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. The seeds are eaten by songbirds.