The haul
The other day I mentioned the primula that I got at the Allianz Garden Show Ireland at the weekend, but I bought plants as well and here they are. They include four astrantias, two aruncus, a crocosmia, a papaver and quite a few others. I am very excited about Phaenosperma globosa, an Asian grass sometimes called waterfall millet with relatively broad, pleated leaves like a crocosmia. Apparently the rather compact, upright leaves bear airy flowers that are followed by large, pearl-like seeds. I couldn’t resist another oddity: Crataegus laevigatus ‘Pink Corkscrew’. I must admit that hawthorns don’t come very high in my must-have plant list but this one has deep pink, double flowers on intriguing, curly, twisty stems – could be fun. I also bought a golden rod (solidago) that I may live to regret getting because, getting home I discovered that ‘Goldrush’ is very compact – just 30cm high. I am not keen on most dwarf plants and I like golden rods for their elegance and suitability as cut flowers. This one might be a mistake.
The Biking Gardener 
Good luck with it
I can’t remember seeing such a compact golden rod. It may still be ok for cutting and I have known plant dimensions quoted to be on the conservative side. Fingers crossed!
Yes – if it manages 45cm I will be a lot happier. Otherwise you might as well plant marigolds!