woodland wildflower
Northern green-and-gold
Chrysogonum virginianum
Also known as Green And Gold, Green-and-gold
Native to the Southeast and the Northeast
Southern Pennsylvania and southeastern Ohio to Georgia and Tennessee
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 6–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
- Height up to 20 in to 51 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its yellow flowers peak in May. At up to 20 in, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Northern green-and-gold's yellow flowers bloom March to May, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and flower flies.
Northern green-and-gold blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Two-spotted Bumble Bee also Georgia Mason Bee, Mock-orange Scissor Bee, Nimble Ceratina
- Flower flies Margined Calligrapher also Thick-legged Hover Fly, The Merodon equestris Group
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast and the NortheastUnited States (12): AL, DC, GA, KY, MD, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern Pennsylvania and southeastern Ohio to Georgia and TennesseeThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–8 · Canadian 7–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, but well-drained, to drier soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 20 in (to 51 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.4 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- RapidA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.