September is for Solidago

Last week, we celebrated the arrival of our native aster blooms as they begin to unfurl around the nursery. As promised, this week we’ll be exploring their phylogenic cousins, the goldenrods. It’s almost like September is designed exclusively for the parade of yellows, purples and blues that categorically make up the perennial palette of autumn, all belonging to the second largest flowering family worldwide: Asteraceae. The golden plumes of our native goldenrods, which are considered critical keystone species, are identifiable beacons of the end of summer, recognizable to even the most novice plant lovers.

To those unfamiliar with the keystone importance of Solidago species (read: the general public), goldenrods often get a bad rap due to the assumption that they’re responsible for seasonal allergies (they’re not, that would be its less attractive aster family member, ragweed), we as horticulturists are responsible for quelling the fears of our plant-blind neighbors and encouraging the inclusion of Solidago species into our home gardens and landscapes. After all, what’s better than some bright, cheery yellow blooms to round out the golden hour of the summer?

This year, we’ve ramped up production on our goldenrod selections, introducing several straight species that are brand new to the Pleasant Run lineup. Our surrounding meadows and woodland edges have taken on a saffron façade, our bioswales following suit, the visually delicious banana, butter, honey, and lemon tones dappled with magenta ironweed and rose-pink spotted Joe-pye. These beauties are more than just landscape eye-candy, they provide pertinent ecosystem services for pollinators, songbirds, and for the health and stabilization of soils. Many Solidago species are capable of growing in many site conditions, preferring full sun and medium, well-draining soils, with some preferring heavier moisture and others preferring drier soils. They are often quick to naturalize, spreading both by rhizomes as well as by their abundant seeds. Solidago species support many different specialized bees, including several in the Andrena genus, the sweet and solitary mining bees. The flowers are no strangers to visits by all types of bee, wasp, fly, butterfly, and moth species, however. A motley crew of insects can typically be found foraging for nectar in tandem, orchestrating a low, stochastic hum of activity within a dense patch of goldenrod.

Our full line-up of goldenrods won’t be here for long – make sure to add yours to your next order to give your planting projects a splash of sunshine and bring all the bees to the yard!

Andrena: The Mining Bees Keeping Backyard Bees

Solidago (Goldenrod, Golden Rod) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

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