Goldenrods abound in late summer and early fall.  And so does hay fever.  But guess what?  Goldenrod pollen does not float in the air so it can’t get in your nose to make you sneeze.  The real culprit is ragweed.  And mugwort.  And grasses.  All of these have abundant windborne pollen. Here’s a picture showing the sticky pollen that adheres to the legs of pollinators. As they visit from flower to flower, they collect and spread this sticky pollen.

So load your garden up with goldenrods!  They provide important late season nectar for pollinators and migrating butterflies.  And will really cheer you up as you sniffle from your hay fever.   🙂

There are short goldenrods, tall goldenrods, goldenrods for sun, and goldenrods for shade.  With so many different species, that gives you a clue how important they are.  Mother Nature needed to make sure there were plenty of these important plants.

As the days grow shorter and the air takes on a chill, goldenrod’s bright blossoms warm the fall garden palette.  And they  attract butterflies and sustain bees, too! As an added bonus, goldenrod is usually shunned by white tail deer.

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ZIGZAG GOLDENROD (Solidago flexicaulis)

Clay Soil, Dense Shade, Deer Resistant, 1′-3′

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STIFF GOLDENROD (Solidago rigida)

Full Sun,  Adaptable to soil (clay to dry sand), Plant with tall grasses to help it remain upright, 3′-5′

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SWEET GOLDENROD (Solidago odora)

Deer tolerant, drought tolerant, clay soil, full sun to part shade, 2′-4′

SHOWY GOLDENROD (Solidago speciosa)

Full Sun, Dry to Medium Soil, 2′-3′, Drought Tolerant, Clay Soil

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SILVEROD GOLDENROD (Solidago biccolor)

Drought tolerant, Sandy, Rocky, Average or Clay Soil, Long Flowering, Deer Resistant, Full Sun, 3′-5′

(If you click the link under this photo, you’ll get a video of pollinators visiting Silverod!)

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CREEPING GOLDENROD (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’)

Clay, Rocky, Infertile Soil, Sun to Light Shade, Drought Tolerant, 1′-2′ tall

SHORT’S GOLDENROD (Solidago shortii ‘Solar Cascade’ )

Full Sun to Part Shade, 2′-2.5′, Moist, well drained soil, Drought Tolerant, Deer Tolerant

Fireworks Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’)

Full Sun, Medium to Wet Soil, 2.5′-3′, Clay Soil, Deer Tolerant

SOLIDAGO SEMPERVIRENS (Seaside Goldenrod)

Salt Tolerant, 3′-6′, Dry to Moist, Drought Tolerant, Deer Tolerant, Full Sun

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BLUESTEM GOLDENROD (Solidago caesia)

Full Sun to Part Shade, 1.5′-3′, Dry to Medium Soil, Deer Tolerant, Clay Soil, Drought Tolerant, Poor Soil OK