Goldenrod is the STAR of Any Fall Garden!

Goldenrod! Let’s take a look at what makes this perennial so special. 

At the end of summer, sometimes landscapes can start to take on a little bit of a dull appearance with summer flowers starting to fade, but if you really want to brighten up that dry spot in your garden, Goldenrod might be the perfect plant for you! 

Although commonly confused with Ragweed, Goldenrod does NOT cause seasonal allergies, though you will see it growing everywhere in the native landscape, from meadows to roadsides!

We just love when the Goldenrod starts to bloom, because, to us, it serves at the perfect transition from Summer into Fall. And when Winter rolls around, Goldenrod’s poofy seed heads provide some nice cold-season interest in any garden. 

Nothing screams “Fall!” More than Goldenrod—it’s a must-have plant for any native garden. They prefer full to partial sun and can get to around 2-6 feet tall depending on the species you choose. 

We have over 12 species of Goldenrod here at Bountiful Gardens, and some, like our Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod, prefer moist to wet soils. However, we have some like our Field Goldenrod that prefer drier to droughty soils. 

Goldenrods are incredibly important species here in New Jersey, and all over the United States, as they are one of the last flowers to bloom before bees go into hibernation. Some species start blooming as early as July, but others bloom as late as the end of November! 

Goldenrod is a stunning perennial that will scream out from any place in your perennial garden! Like we mentioned earlier, it’s commonly confused with Ragweed, but ironically, Goldenrod is actually an antihistamine, meaning it combats allergies rather than causing them! You can use the leaves and flowers in teas and tinctures that can help reduce inflammation and congestion, you can use it as a mouthwash, a gut-cleanse—it has so many benefits!