Canada Goldenrod

Canada Goldenrod is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows 2-4’ tall, and sometimes upwards of 6’ tall. Warm golden flowers bloom in the late summer when most wildflowers are finished blooming. Spread by self-seeding and rhizomes, goldenrod is widely adaptable and grows in a variety of soil types and dry or wet conditions. Very cold hardy. It feeds diverse types of pollinators, and is a host plant for the northern checkerspot butterfly. Most noteworthy is that goldenrod will grow in soils contaminated by nuclear and industrial waste, heavy metals, and soils charred by wildfire. It is resilient! All parts of the Canadian Goldenrod is an incredibly versatile medicinal plant. Its genus name, “Solidago” comes from the Latin word, “to make whole”. The root can be applied as a poultice to healing burns. The properties of the blossoms are astringent, analgesic, and antiseptic, particularly helpful for urinary tract infections. A tea made from the flowers treats fevers, body aches, and gastro-enteritis. The saponins in the plant are antifungal and treat thrush when made into a mouthwash. The whole plant is a dye plant, and produces earthy orange, golden, mustard, and brown hues. Goldenrod is an amazing butterfly and bee attractant. For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Deer resistant. Tags: Harvest: Late, Color: Yellow, Size: Large, Season: Late Summer Fall.

Canadian goldenrod is native to northeastern and north-central North America, and is found in a variety of habitats, from dry locations to very wet places. It is often one of the first plants to colonize an area after a disturbance, such as wildfire, but will not continue to grow once shrubs and trees become established. Goldenrod is an invasive plant in other parts of continent, as well as in Europe and Asia.