Old Field Goldenrod

Perennial  •  $6, 4-inch pot

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Height	2 ft
Spacing	1.5 to 2 ft
Sun Exposure	Full to Part Sun
Soil Moisture	Medium Dry to Dry
Bloom Color	Yellow
Bloom Time	Aug, Sept
Companion Plantings	Dwarf Blazing Star, Wild Petunia
Special Attributes

Solidago nemoralis

Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) are often falsely accused of causing seasonal allergies, which is an unfortunate misconception because these are about the best herbaceous plants you can put in your yard for wildlife. The pollen from Goldenrod is big and sticky and cannot be dispersed by wind, so there is no way it could cause allergies; instead, many, many insects visit this plant and disperse the pollen that way. Goldenrods attract long and short-tongued bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles; there are even several Andrenid bees that are specialist pollinators to this plant. Goldenrods are important sources of nectar for migrating Monarch butterflies on the long trek to their overwintering sites in Mexico. On top of these benefits, Goldenrods are host to over 100 moth and butterfly species, which in turn support many birds and mammalian species that feed on these caterpillars.

Old Field Goldenrod can adapt to nearly any soil type as long as it is in full to part sun (at least 4 hours of direct sun daily). Also called Gray Goldenrod, it will adapt to very poor, rocky soil and even clay, but will also do well in more fertile soil. This is one of the shortest Goldenrods, topping out at just over 2 feet, but will spread horizontally slowly via rhizomes, making it a good choice for difficult soils in smaller gardens.

Old Field Goldenrod is a handsome plant with small, attractive leaves and reddish stems that are eventually topped by a very showy spray of yellow flowers that may nod slightly, giving it an ornamental quality that lasts throughout the growing season. This easy-to-grow plant is a wonderful choice for home landscaping.

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