Bloom Color

Interesting Notes

Convincing gardeners to grow goldenrods is a bit like trying to sell Toyotas in Detroit, but I will continue anyway. They are certainly ubiquitous in the fall landscape and are still wrongly accused of causing hayfever. Therefore, it bears repeating that goldenrods, like aster, Joe-Pye, ironweeds, and all the Composites, are insect-pollinated, so their pollen is heavy and sticky in order to facilitate transfer by our six-legged friends. It is the wind-pollinated plants like grasses, ragweed and many trees (I am allergic to maples for example) that produce the great quantities of light, airborne pollen that get into our noses and throats and cause the immune reaction known as hayfever. There are goldenrods for every situation, and if you avoid the aggressively weedy species like S. canadensis (My apologies to Canada) and S. graminifolia, they are agreeable garden subjects at home in the border, meadow, rock, or shade garden. Once I started to learn the different species, I became more and more aware of their subtle differences and convinced of their important role in native ecosystems as soil stabilizers and sources of food and shelter for wildlife. They are beautiful in leaf and flower, too, and no wildflower garden is complete without a few of our hundred or so species scattered around.

The Latin name is a cimbination of solidus and ago, meaning "I make whole", a reference to its long history as an herbal remedy. Goldenrod has antioxidant, diuretic, and astringent and antifungal properties and is said to be especially useful in treating urinary tract and yeast infections, as well as sore throats and diarrhea. (W. Cullina, NEWFS, p. 197)

Both the roots and flowers of the Canada Goldenrod were used medicinally by Native Americans, who also boiled the flowers of various species to make a yellow dye. Thomas Edison hoped to make a rubber substitute from the rubbery sap of the goldenrod. Although these uses are no longer valid, the goldenrod's usefulness to countless species of birds, butterflies, and other insects is significant. Interestingly, a variety of tiny insects use small galls formed on the stems, leaves and even roots of the goldenrod to shelter their growing larva. The heavy, sticky pollen, which we now realize could not possibly cause hay fever (blame it on the Ambrosia spp.), is important to the viability of our natural communities. (http://www.for-wild.org/michigan/stiffgoldenrod.html)

Growing and Maintenance Tips

S. caesia is found in rich woods and along shaded roadsides from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin, south to Texas and Florida. Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun to shade. Tolerant of poor, dry soils and is somewhat drought tolerant once established. Propagate by seed or division. Best used or at the woodland's edge, butterfly or wild garden.