Native Plant of the Week: Sweet Goldenrod

Family: Asteraceae

Name: Solidago odora (chilensis) - Sweet Goldenrod

Pictures: Locust Borer beetle feeding on pollen. Yes, the larvae of this insect feeds on the trunk and branches of the Black Locust tree, but the beetle is an important pollinator of native plants, especially Goldenrods. (KMS Native Plants),

Bloom Time: August - October

Flower: Yellow

Soil Condition: Dry, Average, Moist, Well Drained

Light: Sun, Partial Shade

Height: 24-48" tall by 12-24" wide

Native Range: Eastern and Southeastern United States including Long Island

Zone: 4 to 10

Solidago odora is a lovely addition to any garden because of it's clumping habit, it does not aggressively spread like many other Goldenrods. Don't be fooled though, as it will self sow in the garden. This can be remedied by deadheading the spent flowers or waiting till they are dried to collect the seed. The anise-scented foliage is delightful and can be used to make tea. Great in a planter. Makes a great fresh cut and dried flower. Like all Goldenrods, it is very important too late season native bees and butterflies.

Fun Facts: Goldenrod is not responsible for hay fever as it is insect pollinated. The hay fever culprit is our native Ambrosia artemisiifolia - Common Ragweed, which is wind pollinated.

Tea can be made from the leaves and dried flowers. It is said to help with colds, coughs, fever and nerves.

Maintenance: To control height, you may cut back the plant by mid July by 2/3. This will also produce a more floriferous plant.

Benefits: nectar source, host plant to several moth species, birds eat the seeds, juglone (Black Walnut) tolerant, deer resistant

Companion Plants: Eurybia spectabilis - Showy Aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolius - Aromatic Aster, Schizachyrium scoparium - Little Bluestem, Eutrochium dubium - Sweet Scented Joe Pye Weed, Liatris scariosa var novae angle - New England Blazing Star

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References:

1. http://www.newmoonnursery.com/plant/Solidago-odora

2. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solidago-chilensis/

3. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/solidago/odora/