| |
 |
| |
A great bloomer from September
through October, goldenrod brightens the garden with
radiant gold flowers. This specimen was photographed in
the University of Tennessee Gardens in Knoxville by
Susan Hamilton, gardens director.
>>>download
photo |
|
|
| |
September Gardening
Tip
|
|
|
| |
Experts from the University of Tennessee Institute of
Agriculture recommend performing the following chores as
you prepare for autumn.
>>>read the
article
| UT
Gardens' Plant of the Month:
Goldenrod
by Dr.
Susan Hamilton
If you
think that September can be a dull time in the garden, with
not many plants flowering, well Solidago can make you
think differently. Goldenrod, as this native perennial is
commonly called, is one of the best, late-flowering perennials
for enlivening any garden. A great bloomer from September
through October, goldenrod brightens the garden with radiant
gold flowers.
Goldenrod
is a member of the aster family, which includes about 100
species of North American wildflowers and more than a dozen
species native to South America, Europe and Asia. The native
species generally grow 36 inches to 48 inches tall and have a
wispy habit. Flowers are borne in dense, plume-like panicles
on the ends of stiff stems, which make them attractive as cut
flowers.
Solidago flowers also attract bees and
butterflies. The plants can tolerate dry, poor soils, but they
perform best in a moist, well-drained soil. Dividing plants
every three to five years will encourage profuse blooming and
prevent lodging (plants splitting and falling over when heavy
with bloom).
Though
goldenrod is a native plant, outstanding hybrids have been
bred with superior characteristics. The cultivar "Fireworks"
grows three to four feet tall and has strong sturdy stems that
prevent lodging. It produces a profusion of flowers. "Baby
Gold" and "Crown of Rays" are both compact varieties that grow
to 24 inches. Their blooming season is particularly long,
lasting from mid-summer through the fall.
Goldenrod
is often unfairly accused of causing hay fever; however, the
main culprit for the onslaught of sneezing and watery eyes
that afflicts millions of us each autumn is an entirely
different plant - ragweed.
###
Submitted
by Dr. Susan Hamilton, associate professor of plant sciences
and director of the UT
Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in
Knoxville. They are free and open to the public seven days a
week during daylight hours.
|
