Native plants that provide color and habitat are in focus now, and goldenrod fits that bill perfectly. Whether in a modern meadow, as a patch in a perennial bed, or even in a container on the patio, goldenrod brings fall color and graceful feathery plumes to the landscape. And it’s great for our buzzing friends! Learn how to plant, grow, and care for goldenrod.
About Goldenrod
For many, this plant seems to need little introduction. We’ve blown past it growing in ditches on the highway, seen it popping up behind the shed, or vaguely appreciated its nodding yellow heads on tall stems as part of the pleasing earth tones of an early fall meadow. But many of us have never thought of growing goldenrod on purpose. Isn’t it just a weed?
Goldenrod is a large group of plants in the genus Solidago, although you’ll also see plants from Euthamia and Oligoneuron called goldenrods. Unless you’re a botanist, you likely won’t be able to tell the difference. Most goldenrods are tall and enjoy drier sites, but with over one hundred species, there are goldenrods to fit almost any soil type and location. They’re herbaceous perennials that tolerate poor sites and even clay soils as long as there’s some drainage.
Goldenrods sometimes get a reputation as spreaders, and some species sprawl out quite easily, reproducing from rhizomes. There are goldenrods with more fibrous root systems, sometimes called clumping goldenrods, which are better at staying put where you plant them, although they can spread by seed.
Goldenrod for Pollinators
Goldenrod blooms in late summer and carries flower heads well into fall. It’s native to North America and is a fantastic food source for many of our pollinators, especially as typical summer flowers begin to fade out and pollen becomes more scarce. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better all-purpose pollinator plant for your garden.
While a field full of goldenrods pleases the bees, our eyes may wish for a bit more variety. Fortunately, several other natives, such as asters, mountain mint, milkweeds, bee balm, and Joe-pye weed, are easy to combine with goldenrod plantings. Add native grasses like big bluestem and switchgrass for a native pollinator patch that will wave in the wind and be alive with activity. Check out the best flowers for bees.
Photo: Mark Baldwin
Does Goldenrod Cause Allergies?
Goldenrod is not the yellow autumn native plant responsible for your allergies flaring up. Goldenrod pollen is heavier and sticky and doesn’t become airborne. The correct plant to assign your irritation to is ragweed, which disperses zillions of pollen grains that float across the wind and into your sinuses.
Planting
Goldenrods will put on their best showy colors if planted in full sun, but they’ll make do with only partial sunshine. Mostly, they prefer dry to medium moisture and acidic pH, but a few species readily grow in wetter meadow-like conditions. Shop around for the right cultivar and species for your location, as these perennials can be around for a while.
Goldenrod looks best in larger plantings. Use patches to bring out the color and allow it to take hold in a spot. It also looks perfect as a border plant along a fence mixed with other natives.
When to Plant Goldenrod
Goldenrod nursery starts can be planted in spring or early autumn. If planting in the fall, strive to get them in the ground at least 6 weeks before the ground freezes or about 4 weeks before your first frost.
Goldenrod seeds need stratification, or cold, moist treatment, to break dormancy. Most species germinate best with 60 days of cold exposure. If planting indoors, start cold-treating your goldenrod seeds in the refrigerator 2 months before planting. Start goldenrod from seed indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost in spring, and start hardening them off after the frosts leave.
If planting outdoors, fall sowing is a great way to let nature take care of the stratification process. Plant the seeds any time before the ground freezes, and let winter weather do the rest.
Photo: Brian Woolson
How to Plant Goldenrod
Young goldenrod plants can be found in spring in the native plant section of larger garden centers or ordered online. They are also cooperative to start from seed for better selection and lower expense. The seeds are small, and one packet will contain several hundred. Half an ounce to an ounce can often be purchased for around $25 and will thickly seed a 1,000-square-foot native pollinator patch.
To Plant Goldenrod Plants
- Dig a hole about as deep and a little wider than the current root ball. While a hand trowel is sufficient for this size hole, using a garden spade will make short work of loosening the soil in a larger area for easier planting.
- Trim off any girdling or circling roots, and score the root ball to encourage new root growth if the goldenrod is pot-bound.
- Place the plant in the hole, adjusting the depth by filling or digging as needed.
- Fill the hole with the soil you removed and tamp it in with your hands to remove any air pockets.
- Water well and apply mulch to keep weeds down the first season.
Starting Goldenrod From Seed
Goldenrod seeds are small and need light to germinate. Remember to stratify them, as mentioned above. Goldenrod seeds usually germinate in 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature.
To start goldenrod indoors in flats:
- Use any well-draining seed starting mix, or make your own.
- Premoisten the medium and sprinkle the seeds on top.
- Press the seeds lightly into contact with the soil using your hand or a flat scrap of wood.
- Cover the tray with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to maintain humidity, and place under light.
When planting goldenrod seeds in outdoor beds:
- Prepare the soil and rake it smooth.
- Broadcast seed at a rate of about 50 seeds (they’re tiny) per square foot.
- Lightly dust them with soil or a very thin straw mulch to help them remain in place and reduce bird feeding. Gently watering them immediately will help them make soil contact.
Types
- Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) earns its name with larger flower heads atop strong dark stems. A later bloomer with a fibrous root system, this species is less likely to spread. It’s winter hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8 and reaches a mature height of about 3 to 4 feet.
- Late goldenrod (S. gigantea) is a tall species, often reaching 6 feet. It tolerates wetter sites than other goldenrods and is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8. This is an aggressive spreader, sending out rhizomes to conquer the landscape.
- Sweet goldenrod (S. odora) is a modest plant, about 3 feet tall. It’s clump forming and won’t spread, and it’s perfect for smaller spots where it can be a showy splash of fall color.
Photo: Pictures_for_You
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