Solidago nemoralis – Gray Goldenrod (B&B.DR.DRG.H.NB)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Gray Goldenrod, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae family.

It tolerates drought and dry rocky or sandy soils but prefers dry to medium, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun. The plants generally grow taller and more vigorously in rich soils. It tolerates light shade, but does not do well in full shade; however, it will often grow where many other plants cannot.

It is a hardy plant sometimes found in old fields, pastures, waste places, and roadsides. The plant displays a mass of yellow flowers from late summer through the fall and individual plants bloom at various times, thus extending the flowering season.

It is probably not the best choice for a managed garden but rather belongs in a meadow or cottage garden where it can naturalize. This is a rhizomatous, spreading, somewhat weedy plant that can colonize an area by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding. It is not considered invasive in the U.S.

Goldenrod species have sometimes been blamed for hay fever, but the irritating symptoms are actually caused by ragweed (Ambrosia species) pollen, which is airborne when goldenrod is in flower.  This plant is deer resistant.

Host plant for numerous moth and butterfly species, along with other insects.