Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa)
Showy Goldenrod, like all goldenrods, have very high value to pollinators, especially the specialists. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a wide variety of insects, especially native bees (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also the host plant to 135 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) as well as the host to an incredible 43 specialist bees (Holm, 2017) (Johnson and Colla, 2023). On top of that, Showy Goldenrod is recommended as a monarch nectar source (Xerces.org) and a preferred pollinator plant by Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Goldenrods in general provide so many ecosystem services even when most other plants are shutting down for the season. Just something to keep in mind, goldenrods do not cause hay fever! Their pollen is too heavy, it is the wind-pollinated (but not as visually obvious) ragweed that causes it. I am currently growing this in my garden to see how it behaves. I have found inconsistent information about how it spreads ranging from having roots that are fibrous and rhizomes that slowly spread to form small colonies and I have also heard that it only has fibrous roots and does not spread by rhizomes. I will report back do see how this plant behaves in a garden setting.
Showy Goldenrod, like all goldenrods, have very high value to pollinators, especially the specialists. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a wide variety of insects, especially native bees (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also the host plant to 135 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) as well as the host to an incredible 43 specialist bees (Holm, 2017) (Johnson and Colla, 2023). On top of that, Showy Goldenrod is recommended as a monarch nectar source (Xerces.org) and a preferred pollinator plant by Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Goldenrods in general provide so many ecosystem services even when most other plants are shutting down for the season. Just something to keep in mind, goldenrods do not cause hay fever! Their pollen is too heavy, it is the wind-pollinated (but not as visually obvious) ragweed that causes it. I am currently growing this in my garden to see how it behaves. I have found inconsistent information about how it spreads ranging from having roots that are fibrous and rhizomes that slowly spread to form small colonies and I have also heard that it only has fibrous roots and does not spread by rhizomes. I will report back do see how this plant behaves in a garden setting.
Showy Goldenrod, like all goldenrods, have very high value to pollinators, especially the specialists. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a wide variety of insects, especially native bees (illinoiswildflower.info). It is also the host plant to 135 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) as well as the host to an incredible 43 specialist bees (Holm, 2017) (Johnson and Colla, 2023). On top of that, Showy Goldenrod is recommended as a monarch nectar source (Xerces.org) and a preferred pollinator plant by Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Goldenrods in general provide so many ecosystem services even when most other plants are shutting down for the season. Just something to keep in mind, goldenrods do not cause hay fever! Their pollen is too heavy, it is the wind-pollinated (but not as visually obvious) ragweed that causes it. I am currently growing this in my garden to see how it behaves. I have found inconsistent information about how it spreads ranging from having roots that are fibrous and rhizomes that slowly spread to form small colonies and I have also heard that it only has fibrous roots and does not spread by rhizomes. I will report back do see how this plant behaves in a garden setting.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full-Partial, but seems to prefer full sun
Soil Moisture: Medium, Medium-dry
Height: 2-5 feet
Plant Spacing: 2-3 feet
Bloom Time: September-November
Bloom Color: Yellow
Advantages: Deer Resistant, Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Caterpillar Favorite
Host: 135 species of caterpillars and many moths use this as a host plant in our area (nwf.org)
Specialist Bee: Andrena aliciae, A. apacheorum, A. asteris, A. braccata, A. canadensis, A. Chromotricha, A. hirticincta, A. nubecula, A. placata, A. simplex, Perdita octomaculata, P. swenki, Pseudopanurgis aestivalis, P. andrenoides, P. compositarum, P. labrosiformis, P. solidaginis, Melissodes agilis, M. boltoniae, M. coloradensis, M. coreopsis, M. dentiventris, M. druriellus, M. fumosus, M. illatus, M. menuachus, M. microstictus, M. niveus, M. trinodis, M. wheeleri, Colletes americanus, C. compactus, C. rufocinctus, C. simulans, C. solidaginis, C. speculiferus, Dieunomia heteropoda, Dianthidium simile, Dufourea marginata, Megachile inimical, M. parallela, M. xylocopoides, and Ashmeadiella bucconis (Holm, 2017) (Johnson and Colla, 2023)
Resource: Holm, Heather. Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Pollination Press LLC, 2017
Resource: Johnson, Lorraine, and Sheila Colla. A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators: Creating Habitat in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest. Island Press, 2023
