UT Gardens’ September Plant of the Month
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – As the heat of summer lingers and we move slowly into the fall season, gardens can often look dull, tired and tattered. The blooms of many beloved summer favorites (lilies, daylilies, and coneflowers, just to name a few) have faded, leaving gardeners longing for a flash of late season color to rejuvenate spirits. The vibrant perennial, goldenrod (Solidago), can fill the gap between summer and frost with its golden blossoms and might be just the answer for weary fall gardens. There are nearly 100 species of Solidago, and many of them are native to North America.
While goldenrod has long been considered a weedy plant best relegated to roadsides and wild spaces, there are native species and improved hybrids that can fit well into the home garden. A plant evaluation study conducted by Chicago Botanic Garden compared the landscape performance of 25 species and garden hybrids. Evaluated traits included disease resistance (powdery mildew and rust), bloom coverage, flowering period, hardiness and habit.
Read more at the UT Gardens’ site.
The UT Gardens includes plant collections located in Knoxville, Crossville and Jackson, Tennessee. Designated as the official botanical garden for the State of Tennessee, the UT Gardens are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Gardens’ mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, educational programs and research trials. The Gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public.
For questions or comments please contact: utgardens@utk.edu
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.