6 Native Goldenrods Worth a Second Look
Goldenrod gets a bad rap as being aggressive, but these more mannerly choices offer a bunch of benefits
Benjamin Vogt
May 23, 2014
Houzz Contributor. I'm a big advocate for bringing the tallgrass prairie into our urban lives -- only 1% remains, making it more threatened than the Amazon rainforest yet also as effective at sequestering CO2. I own Monarch Gardens LLC, a prairie garden design firm based in Nebraska and working with clients across the Midwest. I also speak nationally on native plants, sustainable design, and landscape ethics while hosting online classes. I'm the author of A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future. In the coming years we want to restore a 40+ acre prairie and host an artist residency program.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a big advocate for bringing the tallgrass prairie into our... More
Do you know that line from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, when Han Solo is running toward the Millennium Falcon with C3PO trailing behind? Han yells back down an icy tunnel as it caves in, “Hurry up, Goldenrod, or you’re going to be a permanent resident!” I know it sounds odd, but every time I see a goldenrod plant in bloom, I think about Star Wars.
Now, if only we could bring the film and the plant together, we might have a great marketing plan for a too-often-maligned, super-pollinator-benefiting plant that does not cause hay fever (the pollen is too sticky to be carried by wind, unlike ragweed pollen). Too often all goldenrods are lumped together under the invasive/aggressive/weedy heading. Not only are there better-behaved choices out there, but goldenrod is absolutely essential for supporting insect pollinators like bees and butterflies, among others.
Now is the time to think about these late-summer or fall plants and get them in the ground for the autumn show. Shall we look at some lovely native C3POs — er, I mean goldenrods?
Now, if only we could bring the film and the plant together, we might have a great marketing plan for a too-often-maligned, super-pollinator-benefiting plant that does not cause hay fever (the pollen is too sticky to be carried by wind, unlike ragweed pollen). Too often all goldenrods are lumped together under the invasive/aggressive/weedy heading. Not only are there better-behaved choices out there, but goldenrod is absolutely essential for supporting insect pollinators like bees and butterflies, among others.
Now is the time to think about these late-summer or fall plants and get them in the ground for the autumn show. Shall we look at some lovely native C3POs — er, I mean goldenrods?
Showy Goldenrod
(Solidago speciosa)
Native from the Rockies all the way east
You’re probably most familiar with this 3-foot-tall, dryness-loving, sun-preferring goldenrod, as it spreads liberally by rhizomes. (It’s the most aggressive on my list, best suited for very large areas.) Many of the insects that benefit from goldenrod — flies, bees, wasps, moths, butterflies etc. — are either migrating or getting ready to overwinter when goldenrods are in bloom, so supporting them is even more important than you might imagine. Having a few acres of goldenrod doesn’t mean you have a weed problem — it means you’re feeding the world.
(Solidago speciosa)
Native from the Rockies all the way east
You’re probably most familiar with this 3-foot-tall, dryness-loving, sun-preferring goldenrod, as it spreads liberally by rhizomes. (It’s the most aggressive on my list, best suited for very large areas.) Many of the insects that benefit from goldenrod — flies, bees, wasps, moths, butterflies etc. — are either migrating or getting ready to overwinter when goldenrods are in bloom, so supporting them is even more important than you might imagine. Having a few acres of goldenrod doesn’t mean you have a weed problem — it means you’re feeding the world.
Riddell’s Goldenrod
(Solidago riddellii)
Native from Missouri up to Minnesota, then back over into Ohio
This northern Midwest native looks more like a grass when not in bloom. Preferring medium to wet soils that are alkaline (clay is good) in full sun, it will reach 3 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide in optimal growing conditions. It’s a perfect plant for a rain garden or dry streambed.
(Solidago riddellii)
Native from Missouri up to Minnesota, then back over into Ohio
This northern Midwest native looks more like a grass when not in bloom. Preferring medium to wet soils that are alkaline (clay is good) in full sun, it will reach 3 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide in optimal growing conditions. It’s a perfect plant for a rain garden or dry streambed.
Goldenrod ‘Wichita Mountains’
(Solidago ‘Wichita Mountains’)
This is a selection collected from seed in the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma — which is not too far from where I grew up, so it holds a special place in my garden. With bottlebrush blooms, Wichita Mountains will bloom well past frost and several freezes; it’s about the last plant in bloom in my garden. Reaching 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide and preferring dry soil in full sun, it is a fine clumper that won’t spread (which I think is unfortunate).
(Solidago ‘Wichita Mountains’)
This is a selection collected from seed in the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma — which is not too far from where I grew up, so it holds a special place in my garden. With bottlebrush blooms, Wichita Mountains will bloom well past frost and several freezes; it’s about the last plant in bloom in my garden. Reaching 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide and preferring dry soil in full sun, it is a fine clumper that won’t spread (which I think is unfortunate).
Anise-Scented Goldenrod
(Solidago odora)
Native to the southern Plains, the Southeast and New England
Like the smell of licorice? When crushed or rubbed between fingers, the leaves of this goldenrod smell divine and make a good tea. It will reach about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in full sun to partial shade in dry soils. Anise-scented goldenrod is also one of the easier species to keep in check for smaller gardens.
Photo by Ellen Honeycutt
(Solidago odora)
Native to the southern Plains, the Southeast and New England
Like the smell of licorice? When crushed or rubbed between fingers, the leaves of this goldenrod smell divine and make a good tea. It will reach about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in full sun to partial shade in dry soils. Anise-scented goldenrod is also one of the easier species to keep in check for smaller gardens.
Photo by Ellen Honeycutt
Stiff Goldenrod
(Solidago rigida)
Native from the Plains to the East Coast
Despite its common name, stiff goldenrod is actually quite personable and lively. Favored by monarchs on their migration south in late summer and early fall, it will reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide in full sun and dry soil. In open soil it can spread by seed moderately, but in my dense, mulched garden I’ve had only one or two seedlings in seven years.
(Solidago rigida)
Native from the Plains to the East Coast
Despite its common name, stiff goldenrod is actually quite personable and lively. Favored by monarchs on their migration south in late summer and early fall, it will reach 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 foot to 2 feet wide in full sun and dry soil. In open soil it can spread by seed moderately, but in my dense, mulched garden I’ve had only one or two seedlings in seven years.
Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds
California Goldenrod
(Solidago californica)
Native to southwest Oregon and almost all of California
With somewhat fuzzy gray leaves and stems, California goldenrod grows best in full sun, in soils from moist to dry. It reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and has individual stalks holding up clusters of blooms. It does spread by rhizomes but is reported to be easy to uproot where unwanted.
(Solidago californica)
Native to southwest Oregon and almost all of California
With somewhat fuzzy gray leaves and stems, California goldenrod grows best in full sun, in soils from moist to dry. It reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and has individual stalks holding up clusters of blooms. It does spread by rhizomes but is reported to be easy to uproot where unwanted.
There are more than 100 species of goldenrod, and I’ve highlighted only a very few to whet your appetite. There are the shade-loving zig zag goldenrod (S. flexicaulis), the alpine Rocky Mountain goldenrod (S. multiradiata) and elm-leaved goldenrod (S. ulmifolia) too.
Look out for action by predators, especially the goldenrod spider, which is a member of the crab spider family. Count how many species of insects you see in 15 minutes on a sunny day (it’ll be a lot).
Most important, don’t shun a group of diverse species because you’ve been taught they’re weeds — there are many well-behaved goldenrods; none are responsible for hay fever allergies; and they are absolutely essential to a healthy landscape on both sides of the garden fence. Oh, and they’re gorgeous, especially planted in drifts. Make them a permanent resident in your garden.
More: Why Aggressive Plants Might Actually Be Your Friends
Look out for action by predators, especially the goldenrod spider, which is a member of the crab spider family. Count how many species of insects you see in 15 minutes on a sunny day (it’ll be a lot).
Most important, don’t shun a group of diverse species because you’ve been taught they’re weeds — there are many well-behaved goldenrods; none are responsible for hay fever allergies; and they are absolutely essential to a healthy landscape on both sides of the garden fence. Oh, and they’re gorgeous, especially planted in drifts. Make them a permanent resident in your garden.
More: Why Aggressive Plants Might Actually Be Your Friends
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After reading all the comments and gardening with native plants for only 3 years ..Goldenrods is a must in a garden bed . I actually have 4 goldenrod species . Solidago Speciosa my favorite it’s not aggressive at all , easy to pull the seedlings and the most beautiful in the garden with blue Lobelia , Mistflowers and purple coneflower it’s a great combo . Stiff goldenrods I have had this plant for 4 years now I have seedlings starting to grow , again easy to pull , first year it grows a rosette and bloom the second year . Anise scented goldenrod is so delicate and again not aggressive . I got solidago Ceasia it’s my second year , I have many seedlings easy to pull . People are used to purchase sterile plants so of course they want plants that don’t have seedlings all over , they would rather spend money on mulch instead of having a green living mulch which is done with plant species . A wildlife garden habitat is best when your entire area is heavily planted , you can achieve it by planting nice shrubs than fill in with perennials that’s a wildlife habitat. The most aggressive and hard to eradicate is solidago canadense , this is nightmare it belongs far away from suburban landscape . This was a great post thank you for this great informations , people need to stop being afraid to plant native species thinking they will get invaded with tons of plants , maybe it’s not a bad idea .
Here’s my pictures I just forgot to post them
With the sign it’s solidago Speciosa
The stiff goldenrods is the one with the orange cosmos .