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FIRST IMPRESSIONS:  Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Allen Bush’ is a low growing native perennial with starry golden daisy-like flowers. Blooms are borne in great numbers in late spring and sporadically after.  Plants thrive in moist well drained soils in part sun or part shade.  This is a great native groundcover with semi-evergreen foliage and a long blooming period.  This cultivar is more compact and more floriferous than the species.

HABITAT & HARDINESS:  The parent plant, Chrysogonum virginianum, is native to the eastern United States from New York to Florida and Louisiana.

The species is indigenous to mesic to dry woodlands and open rocky woodlands.  Plants are more likely to be found in forest edges and clearings with bright filtered light rather than in densely shaded interiors. 

This cultivar was introduced by Virginia Nurseryman, Andre Viette, and named in honor of Allen Bush of Jelitto Seed Company.

Plants are hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.

PLANT DESCRIPTION:  Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Allen Bush’ is a mat forming perennial wildflower.  Plants are low growing and clump forming. This cultivar is a dwarf form with leafy stolons.

Foliage is semi-evergreen unless winter temperatures are extreme.  Leaves are oblong or ovate and 1-3” long.  Blades are pubescent with blunt teeth and long stalks.

In late spring plants bear clusters of cheerful yellow daisies.  The flowers are star shaped with notched rays and a dense golden disc.  They are produced in the leaf axils and held above the low foliage.  Flowers of this cultivar are a tad smaller than the species but are produced in greater numbers over a longer time period.

Plants grow from 3-4” tall and up to 6” in bloom with a 12” spread.

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS:   Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Allen Bush’ is easy to grow as long as plants have part sun, light shade and rich well drained soil. 

Plants tolerate drought and are resistant to pests.  They may suffer from fungus diseases, however, if soil is poorly drained or mulch is too thick.

This groundcover may need occasional irrigation during drought if located in exposures with afternoon sun.  Plants will tolerate clay soils if they are amended with organic matter to improve drainage.

Flowers provide nectar to pollinators but plants are unpalatable to deer and other herbivores.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Allen Bush’ is used most often as a Groundcover or Accent for Shade Gardens.  In residential sites, small Groups of plants can be used as a Border for shaded paths.  Plants provide Showy Blooms and Winter Interest.  They are valuable components of Deer Resistant Plantings, Water-wise Landscapes, Low Maintenance Plantings, Perennial Borders, Rock Gardens and Wildlife Gardens.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS:  At woodland’s edge, Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Allen Bush’ mingles well with Carex flaccosperma, Heuchera villosa, Iris cristata, Solidago caesia and Spigelia marilandica.

The parent species Chrysogonum virginianum or cultivar Chrysogonum virginianum ‘Superstar’ would be worthy substitutes.

TRIVIA:  The word Chrysogonum is taken from the Greek "chrys" that means "gold" and "gonu" which means "joint" due to the golden axillary blooms.