Just when the garden looks like it is winding down in autumn goldenrod and Japanese anemone come into bloom adding bright color with their winning combination of gold and pink. The texture and vivid yellow of the goldenrod flowers is echoed by the showy yellow stamens in the center of the anemone. The effect is heightened by the contrast between the smooth petals of the anemone and the soft fuzzy texture of the goldenrod. This combination may be a bit difficult to pull off in hot climates because although the golden rood wants full sun, the leaves of the anemone may burn. Both plants need well-drained soil, although the goldenrod tolerates more dryness.
Upright Goldenrod (Solidago rigida)
Often associated with roadsides, native goldenrod can be an attractive addition for the perennial garden. The small bright yellow flowers are daisy-like and borne densely in terminal clusters. They have a mild fragrance and bloom for about a month. There are many fine hybrid cultivars of Solidago but most are shorter or a different color yellow and would not work as well. Goldenrod does NOT cause hayfever but blooms at the same time as the true culprits.
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Bloom Time: Late summer and early autumn
Size: 36-60” H x 18-30” W
Hardiness: 3-9
Japanese Anemone (Anemone hypehensis) ‘Hadspen Abundance’
The flowers of Japanese Anemone are actually apetalous (without petals) and what you see as petals are colored bracts. The rosy-pink bracts of ‘Hadspen Abundance’ are darker pink in the center gradually becoming pale pink on the edges. The “flowers” are 2-3” across and borne on wiry stems above a mound of foliage that is attractive all season.
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Bloom Time: Late summer to early autumn
Size: 36” H x 24” W
Hardiness: Zones 5-8
