Goldenrod Days
What would autumn be without goldenrods? In my garden, certainly, it would be a lot less colorful.
Even in a shady corner, Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) adds luminosity to the scene. A good plant for spots that are difficult or on the wild side – aggressive but useful in the right place and beautiful in its season.
This is an unknown Goldenrod, maybe Solidago rugosa, that arrived on its own. I let it grow under the Silver Maple in the back garden. I like how it blooms with the False Aster (Boltonia asteroides), another volunteer.
Without Goldenrod, there would surely be fewer bees in our garden right now, especially the bumblebees.
Are there still people who believe that Goldenrod contributes to the misery of their pollen allergies? A damnable libel – the true culprit is Ragweed. Goldenrod is wholly innocent.
There are some species and varieties of Goldenrod that are reasonably well-behaved (Solidago caesia or S. odorata, for example), so do not be afraid to include them in your garden. After all, an autumn garden without Goldenrod is like an unfinished painting, like a bagel without cream cheese, like an orchestra without a brass section.
Do you have Goldenrod in your garden?
gardeninacity 
I agree. I have a very tricky area full of tree roots, in full sun, and extremely dry, and the Golden Rod settled in on its own solving my planting dilemma! Having said that, it only flowered for a couple of weeks this year – the heat and drought was too much even for Golden Rod, so it must have been bad! It’s great for the hover flies in particular.
Yes, that must have been a bad drought. I think I usually get blooms from the goldenrods for at least 6 weeks.
It’s a tough customer, and does well in terrible but spots, but you are right – quite aggressive if given good garden soil 🙂 None-the-less, it is lovely in bloom
Some species I would grow in garden soil. Others, like S. flexicaulus and the most common wild goldenrods, definitely not.
I only have Solidago canadensis, and its regularly kept in check, I know there are lots of lovely solidagos I haven’t explored yet, odorata, sounds interesting and I like your use zigzag goldenrod, shady corners are always tricky.
S. odorata has many virtues – compact, tolerates dry soil as well as shade. Plus you can make tea from the leaves, if you are so inclined.
Picture #2 might be Old-field Goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis). I grow Elm-leaved (S. ulmifolia), Showy (S. speciosa) and Blue-stemmed (S. caesa). They partner so well with asters in bloom now also.
Thanks for the ID. I find it hard to distinguish the taller wild goldenrods.
If it was rare and difficult we would probably all seek it out, but it can be so invasive. I do have some but I am keeping a wary eye on it.
Some species are invasive, others are aggressive but can be managed. The only one in my garden that I really consider aggressive is the S. flexicaulus. S. odorata is not aggressive at all in my garden.
I do! Goldenrod fireworks, and I love it. And all your varieties are so pretty, too. Try some in a vase with some tithonia. Happy Fall Gardening, Jason!
That’s an excellent idea!
I had golden rod in previous gardens and had a rotten time with it seeding itself about and generally trying to take over, so I have avoided it since. Perhaps I should dabble with one of the less aggressive cultivars, after all, I do so enjoy a good brass section.
I would say S. odorata is a good choice for a compact, well behaved goldenrod. I know people who grow and like ‘Fireworks”, but I have no experience with it. I will admit that S. caesia seeds around a lot, but I deal with it because it’s such a great plant otherwise.
We don’t have Goldenrod in our garden but we do have the perfect spot for some. I’m going to look into it now (although I can do without another invasive plant). Hopefully there’ll be one that is well-behaved. Thanks Jason.
Try S. odorata if you can find it. You can find species adapted to a lot of different conditions in the genus. Though what’s available commercially is a different matter.
Looks as if Prairie Nursery has a nice variety of goldenrods. Is odorata the same as odora?
It is odora, NOT odorata. Sorry.
Most of the Goldenrod I have is volunteer, but I did plant some ‘Little Lemon’ a couple of years ago that has been moved repeatedly but I think has finally found its true home (it’s short), and I just planted Ohio Goldenrod. I like Goldenrod with New York Aster – gold and purple.
Yes, that is a wonderful combination.
You bet I have goldenrod. I have Fireworks and a wildling that invited itself to the garden. I love the bright shot of yellow it brings to the garden. Of course if you need a bit of entertainment you can always stand by the goldenrod and watch the bugs bouncing around there upon.
I have never grown ‘Fireworks’ but I’ve heard several people say they like it. The Goldenrod flowers do get busy with bugs, as you say.
I don’t have any in the beds but have some along the boundaries between the lawn and the wetlands. It’s lovely right now. 🙂 Nice shot of the bee.
It’s always beautiful in those wild spots.
Your goldenrod looks great. I have been enjoying it from afar–it’s brightening up all the roadsides lately.
Thanks. The goldenrod definitely brightens up the countryside.
No goldenrod in the garden, but some by the edge of the woods. By this time of year, my gardens look so frazzled that not even goldenrod would help.
I know the feeling.
We definitely have goldenrod in our country landscape, but only a few ‘visitors’ in the garden itself. I’m impressed that you know the names of your goldenrod. Great photos.
Thanks. There are a lot of goldenrods I have a lot of trouble telling apart. S. odora and S. caesia are some of the easiest to identify.
Goldenrod is visible “everywhere” in our part of Carolina right now. I have some at the edge of my woods that has grown naturally. I look forward to it every fall.
It’s nice that you can always find it in season even if you are not growing it in the garden.
There is goldenrod growing along fences, roads, in fields, Jason. It’s lovely in autumn, such yellow one.
I didn’t realize that goldenrod grew wild there in Russia.
I was admiring a stand of goldenrod just the other day–nice and timely post about a lovely fall native.
They do inspire admiration.
Yes, there are many people out there who think that goldenrod is the source of their allergies, and I try to set then straight when I can.
I grow it in my garden and I have allergies.
I think you meant to say ragweed instead of ragwort, because ragweed is the real source of all that pollen.
Yes, thanks for the correction, ragweed.
I’m not a big fan of bright yellow, but make an exception for Solidago ‘Fireworks’.
What’s wrong with bright yellow? I like it almost as much as bright orange.
Well, you know my story about Goldenrods in my garden. Somebody with fangs and big ears destroyed them. 😉 I will protect the Goldenrod plants more next year (if they grow back), so hopefully they’ll eventually establish (along with the Asters and the Blue Mistflowers). Or maybe I’ll just get a big dog and let it chase away the big-eared monsters.
Only thing is a dog is a lot of work. How about a fox? They are more self-sufficient.
I let the golden rod grow in the ‘wild areas’ of my garden. It’s beautiful this time of year & like you say, provides nectar for the insects. Nice post – Thank you!
It’s the perfect plant for those wilder areas.
I don’t have them in my garden, yet, but I think they are so amazing that I wrote a post about them, too! Great photos!
I just read the post – well done. Great minds think alike!
I have several different types of goldenrod that grow wild along most of the edges of my yard, as well as in and around our detention pond out back. It pops up in the garden every once and awhile and I have to weed it out, but in general I love having such a pretty native plant around. So pretty and cheerful, and the bees and other pollinators love it so much!
You’re right, it is such a cheerful plant.
It is a lovely plant and as you say so good for the bees at this time. I had a clump which seems to have disappeared….I must add some more.xxx
It’s worth giving goldenrod a second try.
Hello Jason, this confused me at first because “Golden Rod” here is Forsythia, which is an early spring flowering shrub. I’l have to read more about this Golden Rod and see if I can find a place for it in the garden given the bees enjoying it.
Interesting – Golden Rod is an apt name for Forsythia, but I never heard it used that way. Goes to show how tricky common names can be.
Couldn’t agree with you more, I am a total advocate for using “thugs” in difficult areas where little else will thrive, rather have a plant which some people will criticise than have nothing at all.
I like to set multiple thugs against each other. Sometimes they can all hold their own, sometimes one gets chased to the margins.
I have a dwarf goldenrod I can’t remember the name of that has mostly died off but I do have a tiny chunk that has soldiered on as well as a large chunk of s. caesia. I just added some variegated zigzag goldenrod to a tough spot so I hope it ends up being a problem solver for me. It’s reassuring to see it doing so well for you.
It’s really not easy to discourage Zigzag Goldenrod, so I think your odds are good.
Wild goldenrod grows with wild asters on a wild hillside beside our road. I planted none of this , and it is beautiful!
One of those natural combinations that look so perfect!
I have a whole meadow of goldenrod…love it!
I’ll bet that’s a gorgeous meadow.