Solidago, formerly known as goldenrod, is finally achieving the acclaim it deserves as a tough perennial that blooms in mid- to late-summer when the garden is beginning to wane. But there are many Solidagos, and not all will do well in a garden situation, according to an evaluation by the Chicago Botanic Garden. “Many of the selections tested over five years proved to be less than satsifactory performers in typical garden use, being highly specific to the cultural conditions of their native sites,” reports the Avant Gardener in its March issue. “Only six of the goldenrods evaluated received top ratings under the general garden conditions of the test, for high flower production, sturdy habits and pest and disease resistance.”

Those that performed well and are tall enough for cutting included Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’, S. flexicaulis ‘Variegata’, ‘Goldkind’, and S. rigida.

Fusarium has become a major problem in lisianthus production, affecting up to 70 percent of the commercial production in one survey of Florida and California growers. But two University of Florida researchers have found big differences in susceptibility to Fusarium among the many cut-flower cultivars. Brent Harbaugh and Robert McGovern tested almost half the cultivars available in the U.S., comparing them according to their colors. With some cultivars, 98 to 100 percent of the plants had disease symptoms, while other cultivars had only 20 percent diseased. The full report is in the March 2001 issue of Greenhouse Product News (847-391-1004). In general, Mariachia and Ventura series were less susceptible than the Echo series. In blues, the least susceptible cultivars (30% or fewer showing symptoms) were Hallelujah Purple, Ventura Deep Blue, and Bridal Violet. In pinks, Bridal Pink and Mariachi Pink were best. In whites, all cultivars tested had more than 50% diseased.