Goldenrod ‘Golden Fleece’

Common name: Dwarf goldenrod ‘Golden Fleece’

* Botanical name: Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’

* What it is: A compact version of the native wildflower that blooms in spikes of gold late summer into fall. Drought-tough, heat-tolerant and problem-free. Goldenrod is NOT the plant that causes widespread allergies (ragweed is usually the less showy culprit).

* Size: 18-24 inches tall. Space 2 to 2½ feet apart.

* Where to use: Perennial borders, cut-flower gardens, any sunny bed or bank. Full sun for best bloom.

* Care: Keep damp the first season, then water usually not needed. Scatter balanced organic granular fertilizer such as Flower-tone or Plant-tone over the bed in early spring. Snip off flower stems after bloom if you’re neat or let birds feast on seedheads over winter. Let foliage stand over winter… trim off any browned-out growth in early spring. Can be divided then, too.

* Great partner: Red switchgrass, red mums or gaillardia ‘Oranges and Lemons.’