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If you do any driving in the outskirts of town or in the country, I am sure you have noticed the tall plants topped with deep purple flowers growing on fence lines, or in ditches here and there. This is Vernonia, or ironweed — a beautiful fall–blooming native perennial of the Eastern and Southern United States. In New York, the plant is considered endangered, but in Kentucky it is considered invasive. I consider it a beautiful part of the autumn landscape.

In the past, ironweed was used to treat stomach problems. Native Americans may have used it to treat the pain of childbirth and to treat menstrual irregularities.

Goldenrod

Alongside ironweed one frequently also sees the deep yellow showy flower plumes of goldenrod or solidago, another native perennial of North America. If you pay attention, you can distinguish different types — the flowering tops are shaped differently or the leaves have a different growth pattern.

There are over 80 identifiable species of goldenrod. Goldenrod has received a bad reputation. Contrary to popular belief, (I just overheard a coworker talking about this "fact") goldenrod does not cause allergies.

The plant responsible for many sneezes and sniffles in the fall is ragweed, which does not have showy flowers and therefore receives no notice in the presence of the flamboyant goldenrod and ironweed plants.

Goldenrod (Solidago) is a wonderful addition to the perennial border, providing it warm golden color in autumn to combine well with asters, Japanese anemones, or ornamental grasses.

Over 100 years ago, there was a movement to make this the national flower. Goldenrod is the state flower of both Kentucky and Nebraska. Next spring, consider adding this golden jewel to your garden — there are several varieties bred for sale.

Asters

Wild asters can (Symphyotrichum) also be seen alongside goldenrod and ironweed. These flower in late summer/early autumn with daisy-like flowers in white or lavender. Cultivated asters are a wonderful addition to the garden, providing lots of color at a time when annuals and other perennials are winding down. There are many varieties available, flowering in shades from pink to white to blue to lavender. Asters also have the added benefit of attracting butterflies.

A Reader Asks:

My vegetable garden is tired and prone to weeds. I put plastic over the garden last year to control the weeds and I had a pretty weed-free year. But the plastic prevented me from adding grass clippings or leaves that I might have added if the ground were exposed. I would like to try your suggestion about for layering paper and compost items, but when spring comes, do I just plant or do I till that top layer in? Or does it matter? I am hoping that this process will kill weed growth as well as increase the nutrients in the soil.

Peggy

Peggy,

In the spring, just go ahead and plant. Tilling is not necessary — in fact, nowadays research shows that tilling is not good nor necessary. It causes more seed seeds to surface, and disturbs the soil structure. Many commercial farmers are switching to the "no-till" method. Think of the forest floor: No one tills it, but the soil is rich. Just add organic matter yearly, such as chopped leaves (free for the taking) and compost and that is all you need to do to have great soil.

Happy gardening!

Ildiko Sherman is a local gardener and columnist. Contact her with gardening questions at Ildiko5@earthlink.net or write c/o The Journal, 52 S. Broad St., Middletown, OH 45044.

Have a question? Get gardening help, on Ildiko Sherman's gardening blog, "How does your garden grow?" Find it on www.journal-news.com.