Solidago rigida, Stiff Goldenrod, Quart pot

Solidago rigida, Stiff Goldenrod

FS-PS, Zone 3, blooms Jul;y-September, 3-5’ x 2-3’, medium wet to dry, sand to some clay, deer and rabbit resistant.

This goldenrod, which may also be found under the botanical name of Oligoneuran ridgidum, puts on a colorful fall show when its foliage turns red in contrast with its bright yellow flowers. It grows from a fibrous deep root, but can also self-seed. Most goldenrods tend to produce spire-like flower heads, whereas Stiff Goldenrod produces larger and flatter flower clusters. Goldenrods are one of the most important genus of plant for pollinators.

Unfortunately, many people associate the plant with hay fever allergies. Ragweed, an introduced invasive species that blooms around the same time is what may cause allergies. Because of how goldenrod packages its heavy pollen, it’s not possible for them to become airborne. Ragweed, on the other hand, has airborne pollen. There are many types of goldenrod. Find one (or better yet, a cluster of them) that works well in your garden to provide valuable late season nectar. We recommend planting as-large-as-you-can groupings of goldenrod to benefit the insects the most.

Attracts a wide variety of native bees, honey bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles and flies. Some Mining bees specialize in collecting pollen from this plant, raise their larvae on it and use the plant to build their nests. Stiff Goldenrod’s shallow flowers provide nectar and pollen for a wide range of insects.

The third photo is a Goldfinch on Stiff Goldenrod at DA, October 2022.