Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3 to 7(8)
Groundcover-like perennial valued for its abundance of early spring flowers and ability to tolerate dry conditions. Clusters of bright yellow blooms spill over semi-evergreen blue-gray foliage from early to mid spring (April to June). Bloom colors include golden yellow and apricot orange. Plant size is nine to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide, depending on cultivar. Has a spreading and mounding habit.
How to use it: In masses, for edging or in hanging baskets and containers. Use in a sunny, mixed perennial border or rock garden. Send it cascading over a rock wall. Good for xeriscaping. Combine with other spring-flowering perennials, like creeping phlox (Phlox subulata).
Culture: Performs best in a well-drained soil and tolerates a poor, rocky site. Plant in full sun. In warmer regions, plant in partial shade, but it may die out in the summer heat and humidity. Can get leggy and would benefit from being cut back to control growth. Also cut back after flowering to encourage reblooming. Propagated through seed, division or stem cuttings. Divide in fall. Self sowing. Deadhead flowers to avoid seeding. No serious pest or disease problems.
Special notes: In warmer regions, this plant is short-lived. Drought tolerant. Great xeriscape plant. Deer resistant. Fire resistant. Attracts wildlife, including birds, bees and butterflies.
Selected cultivars
'Sunny Border Apricot'. Features apricot orange blooms. Reaches eight to 10 inches. 'Citrina'. Also known as 'Citrinum' or 'Sulphurea'. Pale lemon-yellow flowers in April to May. Plant size is six to eight inches tall. USDA Zones 3 to 8. 'Compacta'. Or 'Compactum'. Golden yellow blooms. Has clean, compact habit and reaches eight to 10 inches. Zones 3 to 8. 
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