Chrysogonum virginianum André Viette

Chrysogonum virginianum var. australe 'Andre Viette' is a more compact and more floriferous form of a small American ground cover plant also known as Golden Knee. This creeping perennial slowly spreads laterally without becoming invasive, and its endless flowering from spring until the first frost is a blessing for moist rock gardens, water edges or light and cool woodlands.

Chrysogonum virginianum belongs to the Asteraceae family, this perennial is part of the sunflower tribe despite its creeping habit. This herbaceous plant is native to the eastern United States, specifically the wooded regions of Pennsylvania, Florida, and Louisiana. 'Andre Viette' is more compact and forms a dense ground cover mat 25 cm (10in) in height, slowly spreading to at least 40 cm (16in) through creeping underground stems. The flowering is particularly abundant and remarkably long, from May to November. The pure yellow daisy-like heads with 5 wide ray florets measure 2 to 4 cm (1 to 2in) in diameter. The name of this plant, 'Golden Knee', comes from the Latin Greek, referring to the nodes of the stem that resemble a joint from which pedicels emerge. The plant spreads by long rhizomes that produce short, upright, hairy stems with opposite, heart-shaped leaves resembling those of lemongrass. The bright green foliage is deciduous.

Chrysogonum virginianum var. australe Andre Viette is a hardy perennial that is highly adaptable, tolerating soils that are sometimes flooded as well as sometimes dry, but dislikes overly dry conditions. It will find a place in moist and shaded rock gardens, along pathways, to dress the base of roses or the front of perennial borders. It can be paired with tradescantia cerinthoïdes, Geranium 'Ann Thompson' or Geranium 'Dilys' with rapid growth. This perennial will also have a good effect at the edge of water features, in moist soil where it will tolerate full sun exposure perfectly.