Basket-of-Gold in Zone 4a & 4b
Aurinia saxatilis
Yes, basket-of-gold grows in zones 4a and 4b and comes back each year. Plant it outside May 1–May 8.
When to plant basket-of-gold in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 1–May 8 |
| Estimated bloom | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Before you plant: Basket-of-gold has a winter-hardiness note for zone 4b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 4b
These go outside within two weeks of basket-of-gold in zone 4b, so one planting day can cover them.
- Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)May 1–May 8
- AstilbeMay 1–May 8
- Bachelor's Button (Cornflower)May 1–May 8
- Bupleurum (Thoroughwax)May 1–May 8
- CalendulaMay 1–May 8
- California PoppyMay 1–May 8
Basket-of-gold is sold on seed racks as Alyssum, Carpet of Gold, which is where the confusion starts.
How basket-of-gold fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Basket-of-gold takes about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Basket-of-gold is hardy in zones 3-7, so in zone 4b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1.5 ft of spread at maturity.
Basket-of-Gold planting windows in every zone
Zone 4b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 16–May 23 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 4a & 4b (your zone) | Not usually | May 1–May 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | Apr 26–May 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 11–Apr 18 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Mar 27–Apr 3 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for basket-of-gold.
Where to buy basket-of-gold seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries basket-of-gold seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing basket-of-gold" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Basket-of-Gold in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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