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There is a disdainful attitude towards goldenrod - as a regular in village front gardens, a plant, wild specimens of which can be found in wastelands and along highways. The hybrid goldenrod Josephine, bred by breeders, is a wildly flowering perennial that amazes with its beauty. The rich yellow inflorescences that completely cover the plant will decorate any corner of the garden plot.
Goldenrod Josephine has sunny inflorescences, for which it is called the “northern mimosa.”
Botanical description
Goldenrod (Solidago) fam. Asteraceae is a herbaceous perennial, 0.5 to 2 m high, with vertical stems of greenish or pink color. Bright green ovate or lanceolate leaves with a jagged edge are arranged alternately. The rhizome is powerful, creeping, quickly growing in breadth and depth. Yellow basket-shaped inflorescences cover the plant from July until the onset of cold weather.
In the European part of the country, common goldenrod is common, in Siberia and the Far East - Solidago dahurian.These are aggressor plants; the roots contain inhibitors that inhibit the development of other plants. The foliage and stems contain valuable flavonoids and antioxidants; goldenrod is an excellent honey plant.
For decorative floriculture, Canadian goldenrod is of interest, as it has become the basis of most hybrid forms. The Josephine variety is a compact plant 40-60 cm high with a dense crown of beautiful shape. The leaves are elongated, arranged alternately on the stem with bluish skin. The root system does not grow much; the hybrid coexists well with other plants. It blooms profusely from the beginning of July until the onset of cold weather with large yellow inflorescences.
The perennial Josephine is unpretentious in care, a record holder for drought and frost resistance. Adapts well to any growing conditions: can withstand partial shade, is able to grow on poor soils. The compact bush does not require tying to a support. It is recommended to rejuvenate the shrub every 4-6 years.
Application in landscape design
Goldenrod Josephine is often used when decorating a garden in a landscape style.
The unpretentiousness, hardiness of the perennial and long flowering period make Josephine goldenrod a valuable element in the design of mixborders, flower beds and edgings. The shrub is planted in rock gardens, along paths, and fills shady areas of the flower garden.
Josephine goldenrod looks especially bright against the background of perennials with blue and purple flowers: aconite, asters, garden geranium. The hybrid creates picturesque autumn compositions with chrysanthemums, heleniums, dahlias and rudbeckia.
Hybrid Josephine is often planted along conifer hedges along with hostas and ornamental grasses. The plant is used to cover unaesthetic areas and decorate the northern and eastern sides of buildings.
Features of reproduction
The Josephine variety is easily propagated by seeds and vegetative methods: using green cuttings and dividing the bush. Goldenrod seeds remain viable throughout the year; sowing should be done immediately after collection. You can sow directly into the ground; seedlings grown using seedlings bloom faster.
Josephine goldenrod can be propagated using apical green cuttings 8-15 cm long, which are cut from the mother plant. There should be no buds or inflorescences on the planting material. The cuttings are planted in containers with loose fertile soil, and a mini-greenhouse is built from polyethylene. After about 15 days, the cuttings are rooted, and a month later they are planted in a permanent place.
The first flowering of the young goldenrod bush Josephine is not too abundant
The hybrid bush can be easily divided into several parts using a disinfected knife. The procedure can only be performed on mature bushes over four years old. Josephine's delenki are blooming this year.
Growing from seeds
Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in February-March. The prepared container is filled with loose fertile substrate. Seeds are laid out on the surface without burying them deep into the soil. Cover with polyethylene and place in a well-lit place at 18-20 ˚С. Germination of seedlings after 2 weeks. When the seedlings have a pair of true leaves, they are planted in separate small containers. Young seedlings are planted in the beds after the threat of return frosts has disappeared.
Planting and care in open ground
Goldenrod Josephine is an unpretentious plant that does not require special attention. The perennial can grow with minimal care, but long-lasting lush flowering is achieved by following the rules of flower farming.
Recommended timing
Planting of new seedlings and dividing bushes is carried out in the spring in April-May or in the fall, a month before a steady cold snap. If the plant has not finished blooming, all flower stalks are cut off so as not to further weaken the plant.
Site selection and preparation
Goldenrod Josephine likes to grow in places that receive full sun, but will tolerate being placed in partial shade. The shrub prefers loose fertile soils, but if necessary, the flower will grow on poor soils, for example on an alpine hill.
Josephine goldenrod's brightly scented flowers attract bees and bumblebees
Landing algorithm
The area chosen for planting is cleared of weeds and dug up.
Step-by-step instruction:
- dig holes for plants measuring 30 cm, the distance between plantings is 40 cm;
- Humus and mineral fertilizers are added to the bottom of the planting hole, fertile soil is added, and the mixture is thoroughly mixed;
- a goldenrod bush is placed in the middle of the hole and the root system is evenly distributed;
- add a layer of soil, the plant should be buried to the same level as before planting;
- carefully water the flower, trying not to expose the root system.
Hybrid Josephine easily takes root in a new place. When planted in spring, the plant fully blooms.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Goldenrod bushes tolerate drought well and require watering in hot weather without rain. The plant needs to be watered rarely, but abundantly. The Josephine hybrid is fed three times per season:
- spring fertilizer should contain 20% nitrogen;
- before flowering, phosphorus-potassium elements are added;
- in the fall, feed the perennial with potassium sulfate or wood ash.
Excess nitrogen and organic matter leads to the fact that the perennial begins to build up green mass, which negatively affects flowering.
Weeding and pruning
Josephine goldenrod is a fairly strong plant that suppresses the growth of most grasses. Weeds are removed by the roots, and the soil around the flower is carefully loosened. The hybrid does not need formative pruning. The inflorescences are removed without waiting for the seeds to ripen; goldenrod easily reproduces by self-sowing. The seeds of the perennial are equipped with a tuft; gusts of wind can carry them over long distances.
Preparing for winter
Goldenrod Josephine has high winter hardiness and tolerates frost well without shelter. In the fall, when the foliage withers, the above-ground part is removed. The plant is lightly hilled.
Pests and diseases
Hybrid Josephine is a hardy perennial with high immunity against disease. In warm, rainy weather it can be affected by fungal diseases: powdery mildew and leaf rust. The development of diseases is promoted by excess nitrogen in the soil and dense plantings. Preventative treatments with 1% Bordeaux mixture and other copper-containing fungicides help keep plants healthy.
In the summer, aphids may appear on the tops of goldenrod shoots, and leaf-eating caterpillars and slugs annoy the perennial plant. Insect pests are fought with a soapy solution of onion peels, tobacco dust or garlic.
An adult hybrid bush produces 40-50 lemon-yellow inflorescences
Conclusion
Flowering profusely for several months, Josephine goldenrod deserves a place in any flower garden. It is attractive as a solitary plant and as part of a landscape composition. The unpretentiousness and vitality of the perennial, the ability to grow in the shade, adaptability to any soil and weather conditions, make the hybrid in demand among flower lovers.
