I’m a huge fan of goldenrods (Solidago sp.) with so many amazing selections for the home garden (and native pollinators!). Granted, some species can either get quite large or are spreaders. As always, knowing your plant is important and as gardeners, we should be aware that goldenrod does not contribute to hayfever symptoms; that’s ragweed (and other culprits) that blooms at the same time.
Goldenrod has received short shrift in our gardens and there are some absolutely amazing selections. In larger spaces, I love including ‘Fireworks’ goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) as it gets 4′ tall and 5′ wide in time with amazing, arching stems and flowers. For a smaller selection that is great in the front of the border, Little Lemon (or ‘Dansolitlem’) goldenrod (Solidago hybrida) tops out at less than 18″ in height. What are your favorites?
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There's not much that's more New England than goldenrods and asters blooming together against a backdrop of burgeoning fall color. It's my favorite garden season. I mostly stick to straight species goldenrods and I'm probably most fond of showy goldenrod (solidago speciosa) because it's so vivid, blooms late, and stays in one spot! Grass leaved goldenrod (euthamia graminifolia) is aggressive and shows up on its own all over my garden, but I like to let grow whenever possible because the fine textured foliage looks good all season and the mass of bushy yellow flowers drenched in pollinators can't be beat! I have space to let it billow and sprawl, but have also whacked it back early in the season to good effect. I added stiff goldenrod (solidago rigida) to my garden this year and like the blue-green foliage so far. It's looking good with little bluestem and looks like it will bloom shortly!
I love your comment about leaving space for a plant to "billow and sprawl"! You mentioned Solidago speciosa which is another favorite too (seen here at the Chicago Botanic Garden). Our goldenrod season in S. WI is just starting...
When taking a spin around Morgan Ridge today (an acreage I work on with a client) I took this photo of native Goldenrod in full bloom. They were covered in what I think are Fireflies.
I have fairly shaded conditions, and I'm partial to wreath goldenrod that was gifted to me by a local native plant enthusiast. I didn't realize that there are so many types of goldenrod.