By Scout Nelson
Showy Goldenrod is a popular native plant that brings bright color to gardens during late summer and fall. Its golden flowers create an attractive display while providing an important food source for pollinators when many other plants have finished blooming.
Carrie Knutson, Horticulture Agent with NDSU Extension, Grand Forks County, highlighted the value of Showy Goldenrod as a reliable plant for home landscapes and pollinator-friendly gardens. The plant belongs to the Aster family and is well adapted to local growing conditions. Its late-season blooms help pollinators gather food as they prepare for winter.
The plant produces dense clusters of small golden flowers that attract many beneficial insects. Bees, hoverflies, wasps, and other pollinators regularly visit the blooms for nectar. Because of the large number of insects attracted to the flowers, gardens often fill with the sound of buzzing activity throughout the blooming season.
Many people mistakenly believe goldenrod causes seasonal allergies. However, goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky, making it unlikely to travel through the air. Ragweed is often the true source of fall allergy symptoms because its pollen spreads easily by wind.
Showy Goldenrod also benefits wildlife beyond pollinators. Birds feed on its seed heads during winter months, providing an additional food source when other options are limited. At the same time, deer and rabbits usually avoid feeding on the plant.
This perennial grows well in full sun and becomes drought tolerant once established. It reaches about four feet in height and works well in pollinator gardens, prairie plantings, naturalized areas, and traditional landscapes. Unlike some other goldenrod species, Showy Goldenrod does not spread aggressively, making it easier to manage in gardens.
Gardeners should carefully read plant labels when purchasing goldenrod varieties. Some species, such as Canada Goldenrod, Tall Goldenrod, and Late Goldenrod, spread through underground stems and can form dense colonies. While these plants also support pollinators, they require more space.
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Categories: North Dakota, General