Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)

Size: 2-4’ tall / 2-3’ wide

Sun: Full Sun

Soil: Average, Well-Drained

Bloom Time: Late Summer - Fall

Deer Resistance: 3/5

Ecotype: Unknown

Solidago is a large, often misunderstood genus consisting of more than 100 species that are native to North America. With so many individual species, it should be clear that not all goldenrods are the same! Some are aggressive spreaders that colonize by sending out thick rhizomes in every direction, perfect for stabilizing large, recently-disturbed areas; others are more clump-forming, well-behaved, and play nicely with other perennials in a garden setting. Regardless of the species, two things are true:

1. They do not cause allergies. The flowers are insect-pollinated, whereas the pollen that causes allergies originates from plants that are wind-pollinated, like Ragweeds (Ambrosia spp.). 

2.  They are a keystone species. They serve as a larval host plant for more than 125 butterfly and moth species, and the flowers are a crucial late-season food source for all pollinators. No pollinator garden is truly complete without at least one species of goldenrod. 

Showy Goldenrod is one of the lesser aggressive, clump-forming species of goldenrod. As the name suggests, the inflorescences are incredibly showy, and they have more upright habit than many others. It also blooms slightly later than other goldenrods. After flowering, the plant produces attractive, fluffy seedheads that persist into the winter, providing food for songbirds. Generally, goldenrods are somewhat deer resistant, but they will browse the plants if food sources are low.