GOLDENROD - Solidago spp
Goldenrod starts blooming late August to September bringing a late explosion of golden summer color before autumn’s chill sets in. The slightest breeze sets the fuzzy sprays of goldenrod in motion. The late season flowers are irresistible to butterflies.
Goldenrod species tend to be tall and unbranched, but there are lots of hybrids with compact forms as well. Tall ones benefit from support, such as having other plants around them. Or you can plant them at the back of the border and against fences. Medium-sized goldenrods, like ‘Fireworks’ work in mid border while smaller ones can be used as ground covers or edging plants. Goldenrod looks great in the garden but their bright spikes or arching sprays add excitement to a cut flower arrangement also. Harvest early in the morning, just as blooms begin to open. Use them fresh or dry them by hanging bundled stems upside down in a warm, dry place. Make sure the area is dark to keep the flowers bright yellow color.
Goldenrod is easy to grow. It’s only requirement is full sun. Most species will not flower in shade. Extremely rich soil can make it grow too tall and floppy; most actually look better when grown in sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soil.
Goldenrod takes it’s time coming up in late spring. It gets going once the weather is consistently warm later then most perennials. It prefers consistent moisture, especially when young, to produce the best-looking foliage and flowers.
Though goldenrod is a strong magnet for fall butterflies, the rough surface of its leaves puts off most insect pests, making it pretty trouble-free. Rust, a fungal disease that causes brown pustules on the undersides, is the most serious problem. Give your plant even moisture and good air circulation to keep it healthy.
There’s no need to stake taller goldenrod grown in full sun and average soil. But to encourage branching and a more compact habit, cut them back by one-third to one-half in early summer.
Propagate by dividing it in early spring before shoots start to emerge. Dig up a clump and split it into two or more pieces with a sharp shovel. Replant the new divisions and water them well. Usually plants will bloom later the same year.
Wild species are easy to grow from seed. Sow in the fall because seeds need cold treatment .They will bloom in one to two seasons. And they tend to reseed but the seedlings are easy to pull out.
Goldenrod can grow 1 to 5 ft. tall and 18 inches wide.
It is cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.
It is heat-tolerant in AHS zones 9 to 1.
Contrary to what some believe, it is ragweed, not goldenrod that bedevils hay fever sufferers. It blooms at the same time, but with such tiny flowers that they go unnoticed.
Information obtained from Ultimate Perennials for Sun and Shade, Garden Gate Magazine
Goldenrod starts blooming late August to September bringing a late explosion of golden summer color before autumn’s chill sets in. The slightest breeze sets the fuzzy sprays of goldenrod in motion. The late season flowers are irresistible to butterflies.
Goldenrod species tend to be tall and unbranched, but there are lots of hybrids with compact forms as well. Tall ones benefit from support, such as having other plants around them. Or you can plant them at the back of the border and against fences. Medium-sized goldenrods, like ‘Fireworks’ work in mid border while smaller ones can be used as ground covers or edging plants. Goldenrod looks great in the garden but their bright spikes or arching sprays add excitement to a cut flower arrangement also. Harvest early in the morning, just as blooms begin to open. Use them fresh or dry them by hanging bundled stems upside down in a warm, dry place. Make sure the area is dark to keep the flowers bright yellow color.
Goldenrod is easy to grow. It’s only requirement is full sun. Most species will not flower in shade. Extremely rich soil can make it grow too tall and floppy; most actually look better when grown in sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soil.
Goldenrod takes it’s time coming up in late spring. It gets going once the weather is consistently warm later then most perennials. It prefers consistent moisture, especially when young, to produce the best-looking foliage and flowers.
Though goldenrod is a strong magnet for fall butterflies, the rough surface of its leaves puts off most insect pests, making it pretty trouble-free. Rust, a fungal disease that causes brown pustules on the undersides, is the most serious problem. Give your plant even moisture and good air circulation to keep it healthy.
There’s no need to stake taller goldenrod grown in full sun and average soil. But to encourage branching and a more compact habit, cut them back by one-third to one-half in early summer.
Propagate by dividing it in early spring before shoots start to emerge. Dig up a clump and split it into two or more pieces with a sharp shovel. Replant the new divisions and water them well. Usually plants will bloom later the same year.
Wild species are easy to grow from seed. Sow in the fall because seeds need cold treatment .They will bloom in one to two seasons. And they tend to reseed but the seedlings are easy to pull out.
Goldenrod can grow 1 to 5 ft. tall and 18 inches wide.
It is cold-hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9.
It is heat-tolerant in AHS zones 9 to 1.
Contrary to what some believe, it is ragweed, not goldenrod that bedevils hay fever sufferers. It blooms at the same time, but with such tiny flowers that they go unnoticed.
Information obtained from Ultimate Perennials for Sun and Shade, Garden Gate Magazine
