Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)
Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) Height, Spread: 2-5 ft, 2-3 ft Water/Soil: Moist-occasionally dry, well-drained Light: Full Sun Bloom: Late summer-fall, small showy golden blooms Native Range: Eastern North America Qualities: Attractive to Pollinators, Wildlife resource, Host plant, Moderately deer resistant Notes: Herbaceous perennial wildflower commonly found in sunny, dry, sandy upland areas that provide good drainage in Eastern and Central North America. Showy Goldenrod is valuable to pollinators as it provides nectar later in the year when most flowers have stopped blooming. Showy Goldenrod is a host plant for the Wavy-lined Emerald moth ( Synchlora aerata) and supports several specialized native bees in the genera Andrena, Perdita, Melissodes, and Colletes. It also provides seed for songbirds. Per its name, Showy Goldenrod is one of the more ornate Solidago species and one of the less aggressive species. It offers beautiful color and wildlife resources to your autumn garden.