I love bright yellow flowers in a fall garden. Against a vivid blue autumn sky, they give off an incredibly cheerful vibe, marking a positive, happy end to another growing season. It’s like they revive my enthusiasm at a time when it’s so much easier to avoid fall gardening tasks. This year, cliff goldenrod has been my spark of sun and burst of energy in the fall landscape.
A true Missouri native species, cliff goldenrod, Solidago drummondii, was endemic to the Ozark region of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, but is now found throughout the eastern portions of the United States and Canada and is at home in zones 4b through 8. It has a beautiful clumping form with graceful arching branches filled with tiny, daisy-like flowers which begin showing color in September and continue blooming well into October. Unlike most of the other 80 + varieties of goldenrod across the continent, drummondii isn’t as aggressive as others, although it will spread from seeds carried by wind and wildlife.
Cliff goldenrod thrives in full sun, but also does well in moderate shade. It needs well- drained soil, but isn’t fussy about soil type, tolerating everything from thin, rocky soil to clay. It does well in dry areas and, once established, withstands drought, an important characteristic in our changing climate. Often found naturally growing in the crevices of limestone cliffs, it is a great addition to a rock garden or to add interest planted in the pockets of stone walls. On average, cliff goldenrod reaches about 2 to 3 feet in height, making it ideal for both borders and midgarden planting. It also makes a dynamic fall focal point when massed in groups of 3 - 5 plants giving that splash of needed color as other flowers fade. Since its blooms are long-lasting, cliff goldenrod is also excellent as a cut flower.
Pairing cliff goldenrod with native grasses and native asters creates a spectacular display since they all are at their finest in the fall. Prairie dropseed, little bluestem and Indian grass are three native grasses that blend particularly well with the arching form of drummondi. The lighter blue shades of New England and aromatic asters make a gorgeous contrast to the bright yellow goldenrod. Another great companion plant is the deep blue-ish purple rough blazing star which makes the bright yellow pop.
A myriad of butterflies, moths and beneficial pollinators are attracted to cliff goldenrod, making it a critical plant for a healthy environment. At least a dozen species of bees, including honey bees, bumblebees and green metallic bees, depend on the plant for a late season nectar source. It is also a food for the larvae of a leaf beetle, the Microrhopala excavata, as well as other insect larvae. Indigo Buntings, Eastern Goldfinches, Slate-coloredJjuncos and Tree Sparrows eat the seeds, while other birds and ground animals use the seed fluff to line their winter nests.
Despite scientific proof to the contrary, many people still believe that goldenrod causes hay fever. Hay fever results from wind-borne pollens from plants such as ragweed, not from goldenrod. Goldenrod pollen is simply too heavy to be spread by the wind, so it won’t make you sneeze or cause your nose to run. On the other hand, if you have extremely sensitive skin, goldenrod can cause a mild case of contact dermatitis.
Across the ages, goldenrod, with its brilliant golden color, has been seen as a symbol of wealth, good luck and good fortune. I have to say that I totally buy into that symbolism -- being able to see the vibrant, golden color just outside my kitchen window makes my life infinitely richer each day.
