| One of the most difficult niches to fill in our gardens is something that can thrive in a woodland setting but flowers any time other than in spring. Thankfully, nature has an answer for us in the form of Bluestem Goldenrod (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢) and Zigzag Goldenrod (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴). And no, they won’t give you hay fever, but more on that later. Bluestem Goldenrod loves part-shade conditions (4-6 hours of direct sun per day) but can tolerate both more sun or more time in the shade, making it a great candidate for a woodland garden with dappled light or the sunnier edge of a shady garden bed. It prefers average to dry soil. Growing to between 18 and 36 inches tall, Bluestem Goldenrod displays its namesake golden flowers in late summer and fall. |
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| Figure 1. Bluestem Goldenrod (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢) in a landscape. Zigzag Goldenrod grows great in part-sun and dappled shade, but does well in full shade as well, and prefers the same average-to-dry soil conditions as Bluestem Goldenrod. This species is also called Broad-leaved Goldenrod due to its broad ovate leaves, which contrasts to the more slender foliage of Bluestem. Small clusters of bright yellow flowers appear in late summer and fall, helping to feed pollinators when other resources are disappearing. Zigzag Goldenrods grow between 12 and 36 inches tall and may spread by rhizome. Goldenrods get a bad rap as the supposed cause of hay fever. This is incorrect. The real culprit for most fall pollen allergies is Ragweed (Ambrosia), which blooms at a similar time as many Goldenrods and lives in similar conditions, hence some of the confusion. Members of the genus Solidago are keystone species in our ecosystem, serving as host to up to 104 species of Butterflies and Moths (𝘓𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢) and providing pollen for up to 42 species of specialist bees. Using more Goldenrods in our landscaping, even in woodland settings with species like these, will help all our pollinators, so let’s get the good word out about Goldenrods! |
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| Figure 2. Zigzag Goldenrod (𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘴) covering a forest floor. |
July 2023 Newsletter
