This is one of the showiest goldenrods I have ever encountered in the wild. I first saw it in the Smokies on top of a bald and what struck me were the very large flower-heads, up to 1/2" wide, which is large for this member of the composite family. Roan mountain goldenrod is rare in nature and ranges from southern Pennsylvania south to Georgia and Alabama. It is a mountain species that likes dry, well drained soil. It grows up to about 2 1/2' tall and has a hairy stem with simple, opposite leaves that are serrated and elliptical in shape. It usually begins flowering in July and continues through October in most cases and the plant is quite showy when 2 or three of them are grouped together. In Kentucky, it is a rare mountain species but appears fairly easy to grow in the garden as long as it gets sun and the soil is well drained. It is not aggressive like some of the other members of this genus and thus makes an excellent garden plant. As is the case with many composites, this is a good attractor for bees and butterflies. This has been on trail at the UK horticultural gardens and ranked 4.4 out of 5.
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