Solidago flexicaulis - Zig Zag Goldenrod

Sizes available: #1 (Trade gallon)

Basics: zones 3-8, 12-36" x 12-24", sun to part shade, yellow flowers bloom up the stems at each leaf axil in mid summer to early fall. Drought tolerant once established. Likes a nutritious woodland soil.

Common names: Zig Zag Goldenrod, Axillary Goldenrod, Broadleaf Goldenrod

Family: Asteraceae

Origin/Distribution: The native distribution is Quebec and Nova Scotia south to eastern North Dakota, down into Georgia, Arkansas, and northeast Kansas. It occurs in mountainous regions, especially in the southern part of its range. It is native to all New England states including Maine and these plants were grown from seed collected in New England.

Habitat: sandy stream banks, rich deciduous woods and dappled sun/shade slopes

More: Zigzag goldenrod does best in dappled shade but can grow in full shade. It spreads by rhizome and seed and can vary considerably in height. I think it would do well in combination with Bigl eaf Aster, White Woodland Aster and Silverrod. Has been used medicinally.

Goldenrods are keystone species in our region and offer excellent late-season forage for pollinators as well as being host plants for many insect larvae*. There are many different forms of goldenrods that can grow in various conditions. To know them is to love them.

Goldenrods have gotten bad publicity for causing allergies, however, they do not. The wind-pollinated ragweeds (Ambrosia species) that bloom at the same time, but are much less showy, are the cause of hay fever. Goldenrod pollen is large and sticky in order to adhere to visiting insects and therefore cannot become airborne.

*Here is a very general list of the insects that utilize our beautiful goldenrods: Butterflies, Moths, Beetles, Carpenter bees, Sweat bees, Plasterer bees, (The North Carolina Extension Gardeners Plant Toolbox has an extensive list of Goldenrod-supported specialized bees. Check it out!), Sphecid wasps, Vespid wasps, Tachnid flies, Flesh flies, Blow flies, Muscid flies, the Gall-formers such as Epiblema scudderiana, Asteromyia carbonifera, Gnorimoschema gallae solidaginis, and Procecidochares atra, all of which are native to Maine (such an interesting group - look for the galls in the late fall and early winter when they are easy to spot on the dried up stems).

Source: Van Berkum Nursery, grown from seed collected in New England

Image credits: Frank Meuschke of Shelterwood Gardens; illustration from Wikimedia Commons