Solidago radiata
| Solidago radiata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Solidago radiata
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in spring or early summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The plant does not appear in the Checklist of N. American plants, suggesting that either the name is wrong or the plant does not come from N. America. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
This species is not in the IOPI list of accepted plant names.
Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
A rather greedy plant, it is apt to impoverish the soil[2].
The plant attracts various beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies to the garden, these insects will help to control insect pests in the garden[3][4].
Range: Western N. America.
Edibility: Leaves and flowering stems - cooked[5].
Seed - used as a thickener in soups etc[5]. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest[K].
A tea is made from the leaves and flowers[5].
Medicinal: Antiseptic, haemostatic, salve[6][5]. An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic[6].
Usage: Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.