Crown of Rays is a shining example of a popular goldenrod cultivar for South Carolina gardens.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
In 2003, goldenrod (Solidago altissima) was designated the official wildflower of South Carolina. The honor was well deserved because, at this time of year, its striking floret clusters the color of sunshine delightfully light up open meadows across our state.
Such beauty hasn’t been missed by gardeners wanting to bring dependable, late-summer brightness to their landscapes, but many are reluctant to add it because of two syllables: A-CHOO!
Ever since Methuselah was a kid, the rub on goldenrod in bloom has been that it causes flare-ups of late summer hay fever and allergies. Well, from the myth-busting files comes the fact that its pollen is too heavy to fly up the snoot and induce a fit of sneezing. The real culprit is ragweed, another native with inconspicuous flowers that happen to bloom at the same time as goldenrod.
Now that goldenrod has been found innocent of all charges related to drippy eyes and noses, why not give it a go in your ornamental garden? True to its native roots, this dazzler is a tough perennial that will survive in the worst soils, but planted in a loamy, well-worked garden bed that basks in full sun, it will thrive.
While admiring the blooming glory of goldenrod in your garden, expect company because it is irresistible to bees and butterflies. And garden designers take note: goldenrod’s feathery flowers look killer when mixed with the late-blossoming, pleasing purples of natives Joe Pye weed, New England aster or ironweed.
There are over 100 species of goldenrod native to North America, and some can be aggressive spreaders in a garden. However, cultivars have been developed that are not only pretty but pretty tame when it comes to playing nice with other plants. Fireworks and Crown of Rays, both of which can grow to over three feet high, are perhaps the easiest cultivars to find. If space in your garden is limited, Little Lemon or Golden Fleece are worth the search because they only top out at about 12 to 18 inches tall.
Local garden centers might carry a few goldenrod selections, which should be showing off nicely now, but also check out in-state nurseries specializing in native plants, such as Woodlanders (Aiken), Roots and Shoots (Charleston), Carolina Wild (Anderson) and Naturescapes (Beaufort). Online finds can be had as well at such e-nurseries as High Country Gardens (highcountrygardens.com) and White Flower Farm (whiteflowerfarm.com).
August in the Garden
• Sure, it’s scorching outside, but this month is a good time to start the winter veggie garden by planting such cool-season favorites as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collards, rutabagas, beets, mustard greens, spinach, turnips and radishes.
• Watering the garden early in the morning will allow plant leaves to quickly dry out, which helps lessen the chances of many foliar diseases coming out to play on your pretties and edibles.
Tip of the Month
Enjoy adorning your Christmas tree with all-natural ornaments? The blooms of the wild weed Queen Anne’s lace (which, like goldenrod, is flowering now) can be easily dried for use as faux snowflakes to dot evergreen branches in a seasonal wintry white. Simply snip off the blossom clusters at their bases, leaving a small bit of stem on each, and place flat on a screen tucked away in a warm, dry place such as an attic or garage. Come the holiday season, lightly spray the dried blooms with hair spray to prevent shedding and then let it “snow” on your Christmas tree!
L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.