Solidago sempervirens Goldene Wellen

Solidago sempervirens 'Golden Waves' is a variety of Goldenrod that produces sumptuous, more or less horizontal panicles with large heads that differ from classic goldenrods with their tiny heads. It blooms from summer to autumn, above stems carrying large glossy green leaves, immune to powdery mildew. From July or August depending on the climate, its generous panicles of emerald green flowers appear, gracefully drooping and gradually taking on the beautiful golden yellow hue that will illuminate the garden until late in the season. A superb perennial, hardy, easy to grow in non-scorching sun or light shade in any good garden soil, without root competition. Plant with blue shrubs, asters or purple to violet flowers.

Solidago sempervirens, also known as Evergreen Goldenrod, is a botanical species widespread along the entire east coast of North America, from Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico, and inland to the Great Lakes region. It is a large fleshy herbaceous perennial, belonging to the Asteraceae family, just like asters. Very similar to Solidago canadensis, it differs by its thick and smooth, slightly sheathing leaves. Its can range from 60 to 250 cm (24 to 98in) high. It usually grows on coastal edges in sandy soils, salt meadows, and estuaries in full sun or partial shade, not in very dry areas or, conversely, waterlogged areas.

The 'Golden Waves' cultivar was selected for its abundant flowering, especially in autumn, and its denser, more compact growth. This plant will reach 1 m (3ft) high in flower and 60 cm (24in) wide. It forms a lush, dense, flexible clump of numerous leafy stems. It flowers from July-August to October, in the form of long, slender inflorescences that change from emerald green to golden yellow. These are light-looking panicles, composed of small daisy-like heads, 6 to 10 mm (0in) wide, organized in branched and feathery clusters. They appear at the tips of robust, smooth stems, slightly arched at their tips, carrying alternate, smooth-edged shiny medium green leaves. This goldenrod disappears in late autumn and reappears in spring.

These perennials are highly appreciated for their late flowering, some varieties close to botanical species such as Solidago sempervirens 'Golden Waves' deserve a place in the ornamental garden when they take up minimum space. They are robust plants that withstand cold, wind, salt spray and some sun, and are immune to powdery mildew. Their yellow flowers are particularly warm, welcome in autumn beds and in front of shrubs with vibrant colours (deciduous euonymus, Persian Ironwood, smokebush, oakleaf hydrangea...). Solidago sempervirens 'Golden Waves' can be planted alone or in groups of three near porcelain blue asters (Aster novi-belgii Porzellan) or purple asters (Aster turbinellus), Buenos Aires verbena (Verbena bonariensis), Crambe cordifolia, or the lesser-known Kalimeris mongolica, for example. Its flowers hold well when cut, and they can also be dried before fully blooming for dried arrangements.