This large group of perennial plants come from North America in the main.
They are a woodland plant and have a history of being used as a medicinal herb as well as being attractive garden plants, although they can be invasive and you should probably look for an alternative..
They flower late in the season and with attractive yellow flowers held above the foliage make a welcome addition to the garden as summer comes to an end.
S.gigantea is known as the Giant Goldenrod and will reach to around 2 metres in height. Attractive flowers that attract a range of beneficial insects to the garden as well as bees and birds.
Excellent in a cottage garden where they will happily self seed they prefer a well drained soil and plenty of sun. A diverse genus related to the sunflowers.
Varieties
A number of species are available including
- S.sphacelata – ‘Golden Fleece’
- S.cutleri – ‘Gold Rush
- S.rigida – ‘Golden Rod’
- S.nemoralis – ‘Golden Rod’
- S.rugosa – ‘Golden Rod’
- S.juncea – ‘Golden Rod’
- S.flexicualis – ‘Golden Rod’
- S.speciosa – ‘Golden Rod’
- S.caesia – ‘Golden Rod’
- S. virgaurea
- S.canadensis
- S.gigantea
Propagation
Propagation is easy form seed sown in spring, in good conditions Goldenrod species will self seed and may need to deadheaded in some gardens.