Bayscape Blog 9/15/10
There’s Gold in your Garden- Goldenrods
Goldenrods (Solidago) are at their best in the fall garden. The large spires of deep yellow flowers, extends the summer garden and attracts butterflies to your yard. There are many varieties of this perennial native plant and all of them are easy to grow, sun loving, and drought tolerant. No fertilizer needed and that’s good for our environment. The height of the plant can be two to five feet tall depending on the variety, so there is a goldenrod to fit every garden. Particularly helpful in our seashore region is seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) which has a compact growth habit and can tolerate salt spray.
Unfortunately, goldenrod has often been labeled a weed and mistakenly thought to be responsible for hay fever. Actually, the ragweed plant is the real culprit and it blooms at the same time as goldenrod. While goldenrod does readily self-sow and can spread throughout your garden, unwanted ones are easy to remove. If you cut the flower head off before it goes to seed it will not be a problem. To keep your plant more compact, pinch it back in June when it starts to grow.
As gardeners become more interested in using native plant, growers are making more varieties available and lots of new goldenrods have started to appear at nurseries. Check them out and be sure to get some gold in your garden this fall.
There’s Gold in your Garden- Goldenrods
Goldenrods (Solidago) are at their best in the fall garden. The large spires of deep yellow flowers, extends the summer garden and attracts butterflies to your yard. There are many varieties of this perennial native plant and all of them are easy to grow, sun loving, and drought tolerant. No fertilizer needed and that’s good for our environment. The height of the plant can be two to five feet tall depending on the variety, so there is a goldenrod to fit every garden. Particularly helpful in our seashore region is seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) which has a compact growth habit and can tolerate salt spray.
Unfortunately, goldenrod has often been labeled a weed and mistakenly thought to be responsible for hay fever. Actually, the ragweed plant is the real culprit and it blooms at the same time as goldenrod. While goldenrod does readily self-sow and can spread throughout your garden, unwanted ones are easy to remove. If you cut the flower head off before it goes to seed it will not be a problem. To keep your plant more compact, pinch it back in June when it starts to grow.
As gardeners become more interested in using native plant, growers are making more varieties available and lots of new goldenrods have started to appear at nurseries. Check them out and be sure to get some gold in your garden this fall.
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