Solidago canadensis Golden Baby

Solidago 'Golden Baby' (also known as 'Goldkind') is a new variety of Canadian Goldenrod with a particularly compact habit and early and prolonged flowering. This perennial is adorned with clusters of bright yellow flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators from July on a sturdy plant. Its modest growth, slow development, and non-invasive nature make it suitable even for the smallest gardens. It is a superb and easy-to-grow plant that thrives in the sun, in any garden soil that does not dry out too much.

Solidago Golden Baby is a horticultural hybrid derived from Canadian Goldenrod. This woody-based perennial cousin of daisies and sunflowers belongs to the Asteraceae family. This variety is much more compact than the wild species from which it originates and does not spread through suckering. This plant will not exceed 60 cm (24in) high when flowering and 50 cm (20in) wide, forming a dense, upright clump of leafy stems. Flowering will continue from July to September if faded flowers are removed. The flowers take the form of golden-yellow, feathery panicles composed of tiny daisy-like heads in branched and feathery spikes. They appear at the ends of sturdy stems, bearing opposite, elongated, light green leaves with slightly toothed edges and a rough texture. The vegetation of this goldenrod is deciduous, disappearing in late autumn and reappearing in spring.

Goldenrod is much appreciated for its late flowering. Modern varieties have replaced the old invasive ones which were of little ornamental interest. They are robust plants that only dislike excessive heat and drought, which can cause powdery mildew on the foliage. Solidago 'Golden Baby' can be planted individually or in groups of three, with asters (Aster Little Carlow, Aster Blue Wonder), cosmos, or veronicas (Veronica Blue Candels, Veronica longifolia Marietta) for example. Its flowers hold up well when cut, and can be dried before fully blooming to be included in arrangements.