At only 4 inches tall and up to 10 feet wide, 'Mother Lode' is all spread and no height, a flat golden mat that moves slowly outward as its branches root wherever they touch the ground. The foliage emerges bright yellow-gold and holds that warmth through the growing season before shifting into copper and bronze tones as temperatures fall, a seasonal shift that makes the plant look deliberately lit from within during the grey months. Its parentage traces directly to 'Wiltonii,' the classic Blue Rug, but the two plants could hardly be more different in palette.

It asks for the same conditions as its relatives: full sun, dry to moderately dry soil, and sharp drainage. A preference for sandy soil and an indifference to poor fertility mean it earns its place on slopes and in dry gardens where richer-soiled plants would simply refuse to grow. The golden foliage makes it an outstanding focal point or accent near a foundation, and its very low profile means it never interrupts sight lines. Hardy through zone 3, it shuts down at zone 7, which is worth noting for gardeners in the warmer South.