GARDENS
Early fall , Lee ’ s favorite time of year , led to her choosing the name of her business . In mid-September , mountain pastures , woodlands and roadsides start to glow . Royal purple ironweed , fuchsia pokeweed stalks , sky blue and cloud white asters are all begging for attention as the light shifts , but the rich yellow goldenrods set the stage . “ I love the beauty and diversity of goldenrod and I think there is a place for many of the species in both public and home gardens .”
Lee explains that goldenrods are keystone species in many native plant communities — their nectar fuels the monarch butterfly ’ s migration to Mexico , many bee species rely on the pollen to feed their larvae and the seeds provide protein to songbirds in the winter . As land is cleared and developed , we begin to lose our native plants . If we fail to find a place for them in this post-wild world , they will be lost . “ When they go , so will the creatures that rely on them — everything is connected — and to me , it would be a very bland world without that diversity .” n
WHERE TO FIND GOLDENROD GARDENS FLOWERS AND TUBERS
• When in bloom , freshly cut dahlias are available through Callista Flower Co .
• Wholesale florists can contact Goldenrod Gardens directly for bunches of dahlias with the perfect colors for designs as well as foliage , peonies , baptisia and various fillers , depending on the season .
• Online dahlia tuber presale opens mid-November on a Friday at noon EST on the Goldenrod Gardens website . Many varieties sell out very quickly .
• For information on special projects , including installing a vertical garden or naturalistic landscape , contact Goldenrod Gardens directly .
• Signed copies of Lee ’ s book are available on the website .
• David Wimmer pottery vessels will also be available for purchase soon .
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