Culture: Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates poor, dry soils. Remove spent flower clusters to encourage additional bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Solidago speciosa, commonly called showy goldenrod, is a rhizomatous, native perennial which typically occurs in dry soils in open woods, fields and prairies throughout most of the State except the Ozark region. Features tiny, bright yellow flowers borne in dense, erect, club-shaped terminal clusters atop stiff, narrow-leaved, reddish stems typically growing 2-3′ tall. Flowers bloom mid to late summer. As the common name suggests, this species is one of the showiest of the many goldenrods. Goldenrods have been wrongly accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. Attractive to bees and butterflies.
Genus name comes from the Latin words solidus meaning whole and ago meaning to make in reference to the medicinal healing properties of some species plants. Specific epithet means showy.
Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf rust is an occasional problem. May need to be divided every 2 to 3 years to control growth.
Garden Uses: Provides good color and contrast in late summer for the perennial border, wild garden, prairie, meadow, native plant garden or naturalized area. woodland areas including stream/pond edges.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
Showy Goldenrod tends to bloom a little later than most Goldenrods. It is indeed one of the showiest of the genus with a feathery plume comprised of a dense clump of pale yellow to deep yellow flowers atop an attractive red stem. Other late-blooming natives of the same mesic to dry soils that might accent Showy Goldenrod include Button Blazing Star, Sweet Black-eyed Susan, and Stiff Gentian. This Goldenrod is not aggressive like some in the genus. Solidago speciosa has a fibrous root system, not a rhizomatous one like Canada Goldenrod. It will spread slowly to form clumps but will not overwhelm small areas like Stiff Goldenrod can.
Whatever your preference or situation may be, there is a goldenrod to suit all occasions. Sadly, goldenrods often get blamed for causing the dreaded hayfever. This is simply not true. Their pollen is quite large and sticky so as to better adhere to the body of visiting insects. Because of this, goldenrod pollen cannot become airborne and can never make its way into your sinuses. The true cause of hayfever is the wind pollinated ragweeds, which broadcast copious amounts of lightweight pollen into the air. We cannot stress enough how important goldenrods are on the landscape. Including them on your property will provide ecosystem services well into the fall when most other plant life is shutting down.
Price range: $6.00 through $12.00
