Often maligned and saddled with a nefarious reputation, goldenrod, commonly called showy goldenrod, is an underused native perennial. Contrary to common belief, the pollen from goldenrod does not cause allergies. (That’s ragweed!) Easily grown in dry, clay soil, this full sun perennial has club-shaped clusters of bright yellow blooms beginning in July and continuing throughout most of September. Removing spent blooms will encourage additional blooming. Showy goldenrod averages 2 to 3 feet in height with an equal spread. Excellent for naturalized areas, plants may need to be divided every few years. Goldenrod, like most native perennials, has few disease or insect problems and bees and butterflies love it. It is deer resistant.
