Goldenrod Little Lemon
* Common name: Dwarf goldenrod Little Lemon(R)
Dwarf goldenrod Little Lemon in flower.
* Botanical name: Solidago hybrida ‘Dansolitlem’
* What it is: One of the shortest, most compact varieties of our native goldenrod. Little Lemon stays under 18 inches tall and produces golden-yellow flower spikes in late summer into early fall. Attracts bees and butterflies and isn’t the allergen that gets blamed for fall sneezing (ragweed is usually the less showy culprit).
* Size: 12 to 18 inches tall. Space 2 to 2½ feet apart.
* Where to use: Perennial borders, cut-flower gardens or any sunny bed or bank. Little Lemon is compact, neat and heavy blooming enough use along south- and west-facing house-foundation beds. Full sun yields best bloom.
* Care: Keep damp the first season, then water usually is not needed. Scatter a balanced organic granular fertilizer formulated for flowers over the bed in early spring. Snip off flower stems after bloom to encourage continuing flowers into fall. Cut back foliage to ground at the end of winter. Divide at the same time, if desired.
* Great partner: Red switchgrass or indian grass makes a good native-grass textural contrast. Red mums or gaillardia are good perennial partners that overlap goldenrod’s bloom time.