Green-and-gold
Chrysogonum australe
Last reviewed: November 2026
Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum australe) is a perennial forb native to AL, FL, GA, MS. It blooms in March, April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Green-and-gold, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum australe) 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"–10" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, FL, GA, MS
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A low, spreading groundcover with heart-shaped fuzzy leaves and bright yellow star-shaped flowers held just above the foliage. Forms a neat, dense mat in sandy woodland understory.
Growing Green-and-gold
Grow Green-and-gold in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 10 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.
How to care for Green-and-gold, by region
How to care for Green-and-gold where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.
Care guidance last updated: October 2026
Northern Piedmont (includes Lancaster, PA)
Year-round
Green-and-gold is a low, spreading groundcover that likes shade and steady moisture.
- Give it part to full shade with rich, moist, slightly acidic soil.
- It forms a mat only about 2 inches tall that spreads a foot or two.
- Care is low, and you can divide it to share or fill gaps.
Fall
Fall is quiet, with maybe a few late flowers.
- A light second bloom can happen in fall.
- Rake fallen leaves off the mat so they do not smother it.
- Water only if the soil dries out.
Winter
Leave it alone in winter, since it is semi-evergreen.
- Some leaves may stay green and some may fade, which is normal.
- Lancaster winters sit within its listed hardiness range of zones 5 to 9.
- No watering is needed unless the ground is dry and unfrozen for a long stretch.
Spring
Spring is bloom time, so keep the soil evenly moist.
- Yellow flowers show up from March to June, and Lancaster gardens usually see them in April and May.
- Water if a dry spell hits during bloom.
- Spring is a good time to divide crowded patches.
Summer
Summer heat slows blooms, so focus on shade and moisture.
- Flowering gets sparse in hot weather.
- Water during dry weeks, especially if the spot gets any sun.
- Snip off spent flower stems to keep the mat tidy.
Sources: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Chrysogonum virginianum
Southeastern Plains (includes Tallahassee, FL)
Year-round
Green-and-gold works in Tallahassee shade if the soil stays moist.
- Choose dappled to full shade and keep the soil moist but well drained.
- It does best in rich, slightly acidic soil, so add organic matter to sandy spots.
- It is listed for zones 5 to 9, so Tallahassee is within range.
Fall
Fall may bring a few late blooms and easier growing weather.
- A light rebloom is possible in fall.
- Keep watering if autumn stays dry.
- Pull back leaf litter that is piling up on the mat.
Winter
Winter care is minimal for this semi-evergreen groundcover.
- Foliage may thin out but often stays partly green in mild Tallahassee winters.
- Water only during long dry periods.
- Trim off any tattered leaves in late winter before new growth starts.
Spring
Spring is the main show, so water during dry spells.
- Flowers begin as early as March and run to June.
- Remove spent flower stems for a neat look.
- Divide crowded clumps now if you want more plants.
Summer
Hot summers reduce flowers, so protect it from sun and drought.
- Blooms get sparse or stop in summer heat.
- Water deeply during dry weeks, because Tallahassee summers can dry out soil fast.
- A layer of mulch helps hold moisture.
Sources: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Chrysogonum virginianum
Wildlife value
Spring and early summer flowers provide steady nectar for small native bees in a shaded groundcover role.
Common questions
- How much sun does Green-and-gold need?
- Green-and-gold grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Green-and-gold bloom?
- Green-and-gold blooms in March, April, May, and June.
- Where is Green-and-gold native?
- Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum australe) is native to AL, FL, GA, MS, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Green-and-gold attract?
- Green-and-gold draws bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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
Ready to grow Green-and-gold? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.