Solidago sphacelata Golden Fleece

Solidago sphacelata Golden fleece, also known as Goldenrod or Golden Bunch, is a compact and particularly bright hybrid variety, as fluffy as a bunch of mimosa. It produces pyramidal, feathery spikes in summer whic are entirely lemon yellow, from their tiny flowers to the peduncles that bear them. They are slightly arched and bloom on a very dense light green foliage that turns more golden in partial shade. Its moderate growth and non-invasive nature make it suitable for all gardens, even the smallest ones. A superb and easy-to-grow plant in the sun, in ordinary soil that is not too dry.

Solidago Goldenrod, is an old horticultural hybrid. This perennial with woody base belongs to the aster family, it is a cousin of daisies and sunflowers mainly distinguished by a much more compact habit than the wild species from which it originates. Unlike the latter, it does not propagate through suckering. This plant will not exceed 70 cm (28in) high when flowering and 30 cm (12in) wide, and it forms a dense, flexible clump of leafy stems. Flowering takes place from July to September, depending on the climate, in the form of light yellow inflorescences. These are feathery panicles, composed of tiny daisy-like flower heads on yellow petioles, arranged in branched and feathery spikes. They appear at the end of reddish, robust stems, bearing opposite, elongated, rough leaves with slightly toothed edges, ranging in colour from light green to chartreuse green. This goldenrod disappears in late autumn and reappears in spring.

These perennial plants are highly appreciated for their late flowering. Modern varieties of goldenrods have replaced the old, invasive and less attractive ones. These are robust plants that only dislike excessive heat and drought, which can cause powdery mildew on the foliage. Solidago Golden Fleece can be planted individually or in groups of three, near blue asters (Aster lævis Calliope) or mauve asters (Aster turbinellus), cosmos, Crambe cordifolia and veronicas (Veronica incana, Veronica longifolia) for example. Its flowers hold up well in bouquets, and they can also be dried before fully blooming to be included in dry arrangements.