Golden-knee
Chrysogonum virginianum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Golden-knee is a low-growing forb that blooms bright yellow star-shaped flowers from April through July. It grows well in part shade with medium moisture, often forming a spreading groundcover in woodland gardens.
Toxicity unknown
Golden-knee (Chrysogonum virginianum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
4"–12" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
Native to
MD, NC, PA, VA and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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Golden-knee is a low-growing native groundcover that produces cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers from spring through summer. This compact perennial forms neat mats of evergreen foliage, making it an excellent choice for shaded areas where grass struggles to grow.
Growing Golden-knee
Grow Golden-knee in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Golden-knee is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The bright yellow blooms attract native bees and butterflies throughout the long flowering season. Its extended bloom period provides consistent nectar sources from April through July.
Common questions
- When does Golden-knee bloom?
- Chrysogonum virginianum typically flowers from April through July, with yellow blooms appearing in flushes through the season.
- How much light and water does Golden-knee need?
- This plant does best in part shade with medium, consistent soil moisture, though it can tolerate somewhat drier conditions once established and adapts to partial sun as well.
- What pollinators visit Golden-knee?
- Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to the small yellow flowers of Chrysogonum virginianum, which offer nectar and pollen through the spring and summer bloom period.
- Is Golden-knee evergreen?
- Chrysogonum virginianum is semi-evergreen, holding some of its foliage through mild winters and dying back more fully in colder climates.
- What is the growth habit of Golden-knee?
- It is a low, spreading forb that forms a mat-like groundcover, making it useful for shaded borders and woodland garden edges.
- Is Golden-knee HOA-friendly?
- Golden-knee is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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