Chrysogonum virginianum - Goldstar

Native to rich woodlands in eastern North America ( from northeast Ohio to Pennsylvania; south to Louisiana to far northern Florida ); the Goldstar is an attractive, low maintenance, fast growing shade perennial that can reach a maximum size of 2 x 4 feet ( though usually less than half that in height ). It is rare in much of its native range. The northern form is taller and more upright in habit while the southern form is better for groundcover being that it is more stoloniferous and produces alot of runners.
The opposite, smooth-edged or toothed, heart-shaped, leaves, up to 4 x 2.3 inches in size, are hairy bright green. The foliage is evergreen in the south and deciduous in the north. Generally north of zone 6, it becomes fully deciduous.
The yellow, star shaped flowers are borne singly from April to May then sporadically until October. They are up to 1.5 inches across.
Hardy from zone 4 to 8 preferring moist, fertile, acidic, humus-rich, well drained soil in partial shade to shade. North of zone 6, it requires a protected site and either a winter mulch of pine boughs or reliable snowcover. On moist soils, it can tolerate full sun if it is not reflected and in shade it can be very drought and heat tolerant once established. Pests and disease problems are rare though mulching or heavy wet clay can cause crown rot in humid climates. Propagation is from seed ( sown in cold frame during late summer ) or division in early autumn or early spring. It can also be propagated from stem cuttings which root easily when stuck in moist perlite or sand.

* photo taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD

* photo taken @ U.S. Botanical Garden, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014

* photos taken on June 9 2015 in Columbia, MD

* photo taken on Apr 17 2016 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on Apr 28 2017 in Ellicott City, MD

'Allen Bush'
Rapid growing, reaching up to 1 foot in height. It is more compact than the species and blooms more profusely.

* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photo taken on July 10 2013 in Howard Co., MD

'Australe'
Very fast spreading, reaching up to 15 + inches in height.

* photo taken on May 15 in Columbia, MD

* photos taken on June 8 2020 in Columbia, MD

'Eco Lacquered Spider'
The best form for groundcover; it has long purple stolons up to 3 feet in length.
it is much faster growing than the species and single plants can spread up to 8 feet or more and spread at a rate up to 3 feet per year. Foliage is unusually glossy and is sometimes purple tinged.
The golden-yellow flowers are borne mid spring into early autumn.

'Graystone Gold'
Leaves are rounded in shape.

'Pierre'
A clump former, up to 10 inches x 3.5 feet in size with a long bloom season and softer green, semi-evergreen foliage up to 3.5 inches in length.

* photo taken on May 14 2012 in Howard Co., MD

* photo taken on May 20 2013 in Howard Co., MD
* photo taken on June 30 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

* photos taken on Apr 17 2016 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC

'Springbrook'
Very compact in habit and only reaching up to 5 inches in height with bright yellow blooms from late spring through summer.

'Superstar'
Superior vigor but otherwise identical to species. Excellent for use as a groundcover.