Solidago uliginosa (Bog Goldenrod)

Solidago uliginosa performs well in wet to moist, part-sun landscapes, particularly in poor soils. Adapted to mountain environments, this species can grow in sunnier or shadier areas as well, but is best in rain gardens and woodland edges. Goldenrods may be thought of as common wildflowers, but Solidago uliginosa is not, only found in the Appalachian Mountain region of our area. It is a great garden plant, with dense fibrous roots that form a contained patch but will not spread by rhizomes, but it can spread by seed. This species of goldenrod can grow up to 4’-5’ tall, but occupies a more narrow width of 2’-3’. Flowers are displayed in dense vertical plumes that may have a pleasant fragrance. Also of interest, the stalks can turn a deep scarlet over time, and the leaves can also add fall color, especially at a time when many trees have already shed their leaves. Solidago uliginosa can have a varying bloom period, but generally ranges August to November. Trimming spent blooms may encourage reblooming, especially earlier in the fall, or to prevent reseeding, although these seeds can be beneficial to songbirds and other wildlife in winter. Goldenrod pollen is not considered the cause of ragweed allergies or other seasonal allergies. One reason is that Solidago species are insect pollinated unlike wind-pollinated species that produce copious airborne pollen, especially in spring.

All Solidago species are considered of high value to wildlife, insects in particular. Goldenrods are a major boon to pollinators, produce easy to access flowers in abundance, especially at a time of year when few other flowers are blooming. Migratory insects such as Monarch butterflies in particular rely on these sources of energy, and goldenrods will bloom even when the weather is cold and frosty. The prevalence of goldenrods is also a reason so many insects rely on them as a food source, especially caterpillars of various moths. This in turn makes goldenrods a major food source for birds, both seed-eaters feasting on accessible stalks above the ground, and insect-eaters looking for food to feed nesting chicks in summer or during fall migration. Goldenrods also have a host of specialist interactions - from oligolectic bees to gall-inducing insect larvae, making them keystone species in many habitats. Another indirect benefit to gardeners is that wide range of beneficial insect predators, from syrphid flies to wasps, use the flowers as an adult food source. Attracting the adults may encourage them to look for nearby pest insects as a food source for their larvae, something current research in horticulture and crop science is still uncovering.

Pollinators: 36 species of oligolectic specialist bees, bumblebees, honey bees, syrphid flies, wasps, blister beetles, soldier beetles

Host Plant for Butterflies/Moths: Over 100 different species of Lepidoptera use Solidago (Goldenrods) as host plants - this is the largest number of any perennial wildflower!

Dependent Species: 36 species of oligolectic specialist bees - Goldenrod Cellophane Bee (Colletes solidaginis) (MD, NC, VA) feeds exclusively on Solidago; Moth species which feed exclusively on Solidago: The Astroid (Cucullia asteroides), Buff-tipped Eucosma (Eucosma ochroterminana), Camphorweed Flower Moth (Schinia nubila), Goldenrod Borer Plume Moth (Hellinsia kellicottii), Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina), Goldenrod Gall Moth (Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis), Anania mysippusalis, Dichomeris bilobella, Helvibotys helvialis, Hahncappsia marculenta, Pelochrista derelicta

Wildlife Value: Songbirds, Thrushes, Wood Warblers

Deer Resistance: Moderate

Native Region: Appalachian Mountains

Seed Origin: USA

USDA Zones: 3-8

States found in our region: AL, DE, GA, MD, NC, PA, SC, VA, WV

Other states found: CT, IL, IN, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, RI, VT, WI