Sagina subulata 'Aurea'

Sagina subulata 'Aurea', also known as golden mossy pearlwort, is the golden form of the carpet plant. It forms a very low, dense carpet, resembling moss and grass, progressing by rooting from place to place, and covering itself in late spring with tiny white flowers. This evergreen perennial works wonders in rockeries, in the gaps between paving stones and walls, in cool but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Sagina subulata 'Aurea' belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, like the twenty or so species that make up the genus. It is a small perennial plant native to Western Europe and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This plant with running roots forms a low, persistent, golden tender green carpet, 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) tall, colonizing the ground by rooting of tiny stoloniferous and ramified stems 1cm (0in) long, until forming dense cushions over 25cm (10in) in diameter. Its growth is quite slow. In late spring, from May to June, the carpet is covered with tiny 4mm (0in) diameter white flowers.

This 'carpet plant' has the advantage of being able to cover an area where grass does not grow well, thanks to its running roots. It develops to form a uniform carpet that does not need to be mowed, it tolerates moist soils and for these reasons, Sagina is often used to replace grass. But it does not tolerate trampling well. It is also a popular species in mosaic culture, widely used in rockeries, like helxine, or to fill the gaps between large paving stones and walls. It is also welcome in Japanese-inspired gardens. Paired with hostas, ferns, or used as a backdrop for a bed of fuchsias, it will be truly charming. Sagina subulata 'Aurea' is ideal for brightening or highlighting the edge of a bed or in a container.It should be noted that subulate sagina does not tolerate very dry or hot conditions, it should be reserved for cool and shaded areas.