Today we look at: Solidago Canadensis – the Canada Goldenrod 

I want to pay tribute to the Canada Goldenrod … Yes - the tall yellow weed that grows just about anywhere, abundantly filling open fields and hydro corridors, aggressively popping up in flower beds, and generally being accused of nuisance and trouble - and never apologizing.

Canada Goldenrod is the most iconic of the goldenrods. Growing up to 2m tall, it is generally recognized by its beautiful deep yellow flowers flaunted in large plumes. It’s a hardy, long-lived perennial plant that is found throughout all of Canada.

Canada Goldenrod is an excellent source of pollen and nectar for insects. Because it blooms later in the season, goldenrods provide critical food for migrating butterflies, and for many insects that overwinter in Ontario. Also, take a closer look at a goldenrod flower panicle and you may see bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, and spiders. These insects are food for many birds and help to pollinate our fruit and vegetable gardens.

In case you were wondering ... Yes, you can probably eat Goldenrods! The ethnobotanical literature cites many uses as medicine, food and dyeing fabric.

If the pushy and bold nature of Canada Goldenrod is not for you, consider that there are about 25 other native species of Goldenrods in Ontario. Some are rare, some are even white. There are Goldenrod species adapted to every habitat, from swampy to sandy, from sunny fields to shady forests.

Finally - if you connect Goldenrod with hay-fever allergies, remember that the showy Goldenrod flowers are insect-pollinated, so the pollen grains are heavy and designed to stick onto insects. The actual culprit is Ragweed pollen! This annual plant has inconspicuous green flowers that can produce billions of very fine pollen grains that are easily dispersed by the wind.

For more information and inspiration, and details on differentiating some of the Goldenrod species, check the following links:

City of Toronto - How to Help Wild Bees & Other Native Pollinators:
On this site there is a lot of great info, including a tab called “Get to know Goldenrod” which sings the praises of goldenrods and has a species list for growing Goldenrods in your garden.
https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/live-green-toronto/help-native-bees-pollinators/

Ontario Flowers:
This site has in depth information about Goldenrod ID, links to dozens of other Goldenrod species, and book recommendations.
https://ontariowildflowers.com/main/group.php?id=2

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Fact Sheet:
Always excellent resources from the USDA-NRCS https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_soca6.pdf

Submitted by Helen Hermansen