Goldenrod

Can we just have an adult conversation about goldenrod? A heart-to-heart, a one-on-one, a blunt discussion? This plant does not give you fall allergies! So if you have been blaming goldenrod for your allergies, you are blaming the wrong plant. 

Want to know why? The answer is because goldenrod’s pollen is too dense to float in the air. Goldenrod’s dense pollen has to be transported by bees and other pollinators, so it is truly incapable of being the plant that gives you fall allergies. Go figure. Ragweed, on the other hand, is exactly the culprit you should place all your blame and anger towards. While we typically don’t condone plant shaming, we must in this case so that we can defend and restore goldenrod’s good name! 

Goldenrod, along with asters, are credited for blooming during the last mass blooming period of the year. It ends the summer season and welcomes autumn and everything that comes with the changing of the seasons. Pollinators seem to know it is nearing the end of the abundant summer and ferociously forage on these flowers like it is their last meal of the year. They seem to leave no flower unpollinated, and for that, we can thank goldenrod for its contribution to our pollinators. Also, its fluffy yellow flowering head is lovely. If you have yet to experience the full awe of the goldenrod, keep an eye on the beer garden! 

Plant your goldenrod in fall or spring in a space with plenty of sunshine.