Goldenrod Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing goldenrod.
Light
Goldenrod cravesfull sunfor optimal flowering.
The plant will tolerate a bit of shade, though a shady location can reduce its blooms.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
This plant can tolerate sandy, rocky, and clay soils.
Very rich soil can cause the plant to become leggy and potentially flop over.
Water
Water new goldenrod plants weekly to maintain damp, but not soggy soil.
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Mature goldenrod plants are drought tolerant and rarely need supplemental watering except when rainfall is scarce.
Goldenrod isn’t fussy about humidity, either.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing goldenrod is typically not necessary because the plants do well in lean soil conditions.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Too much fertilization often leads to floppy green growth and reduces flower production.
Types of Goldenrod
The many goldenrod species vary somewhat in size and appearance.
Cultivars are known to be less aggressive spreaders than the species forms.
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Deadheading spent flower heads can prolong the bloom season well into fall.
Removing the flower heads before they go to seed can prevent rampant self-seeding.
Store the bag in the refrigerator for 60 days at 40 degrees (or lower) Fahrenheit.
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After the stratification period, sow the seeds outdoors in early to mid-spring.
Use a container at least 12 inches in diameter with large drainage holes.
Unglazed clay is ideal because it lets excess moisture evaporate.
Water the plant slowly and thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist.
Like all container plants, even established goldenrod needs to be watered regularly, unlike in a garden setting.
Removing the stems, including seed heads, will reduce self-seeding in the garden.
The flower can also be affected byrust fungus,powdery mildew, and leaf spot.
These fungal diseases are usually tolerated, though spraying with fungicide is an option.
Most species prefer drier soils, and root rot is a possibility in dense, damp soils.
What Does Goldenrod Look and Smell Like?
Goldenrod is a tall, slightly arching plant with a wider base than the tip.
The long curvy stem and tip is filled with dense cylindrical clusters of yellow flower heads.
The flowers have an anise-like scent, which is a mix of licorice and a sweet and spicy fragrance.
When these plants fail to bloom, it’s usually because they don’t receive enough sun.
Deadheading Goldenrod
Deadheadingspent flower clusters can extend the bloom period right up to killing frost.
There are only a couple of things to watch for with this wildflower.
Mature plants can spread via reseeding and undergroundrhizomes, potentially outcompeting other plants in the garden.
To prevent this, grow goldenrod in containers or a garden bed with barriers to contain the underground spread.
Or better yet, cut the flowers to use in floral arrangements.
When goldenrod becomes leggy, it tends to flop over.
It also attracts other pollinator insects, includingbees.
Deer rarely feed on goldenrod.
Left undisturbed, a clump of goldenrod might live for decades.
Goldenrod is often confused with ragweed because it is also a late-season bloomer that grows along roadsides.
Goldenrod attracts migrating butterflies and bees which are needed for crop pollination.
Having lots of goldenrod around is crucial for fruit production.
Solidago dansolitlem LITTLE LEMON.
Solidago Virgaurea Peter Pan.North Carolina State University.
Solidago Shortii Solar Cascade.Missouri Botanical Garden.
