Norma R.

Weekend Waterer

More About Norma

Norma's many hats:

Norma has been with Rush Creek Growers for over twenty years and is now shifted from full time work to being our essential weekend waterer, transplanter, cat cuddler and our consulting ornithologist.

The 2027 staff musings prompt is to write about a plant we believe is a underrated or unsung hero.

Norma: I think the most under-used perennial is goldenrod - both native and cultivars. Goldenrod has the reputation of being a "ditch" weed. And it does grow in the ditches, as it is a native that is not killed by mowing. It is also food for many different caterpillars and attracts many pollinators. Once it starts blooming - late July, it will bloom for a month or two into September. There are many goldenrod species, with slightly different form and habitat preference.Some like shade and some like hot sun. Fireworks is the cultivar we sell at Rush Creek. Its leaves are a bit darker and its bloom brighter than the native. It never needs watering once it is established. It blooms August and September. For me and always makes me wish I had planted more, (no space for more though).