By Carrie Knutson, Horticulture agent

NDSU Extension – Grand Forks County

It's early summer, and I am already looking forward to fall. Why? Many reasons, but one is that one of my favorite plants blooms in the fall. As a gardener, I have many favorite plants, but this one rises above the others because of the sounds surrounding it. Keep reading to find out what I mean.

My favorite fall plant is Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa). It is a perennial in the Aster (Asteraceae) family and native to our area. It blooms in late summer through fall. Late-season blooms such as goldenrod are especially important because pollinators are preparing for winter, and food sources become limited later in the growing season.

Showy Goldenrod lives up to its name, as it is packed with dense clusters of small gold flowers. As a result, it is a pollinator magnet. It attracts many types of bees and other insects. Native bees, hoverflies and wasps visit the flowers to fill up on nectar late in the growing season.

Here comes the sound. Because the plant attracts so many insects, a constant buzz fills the air around it. I will often sit near the plant and watch the insects hard at work.

But I don’t sneeze as I sit by the plant. Goldenrod is often blamed for fall allergies, but ragweed is usually the real culprit. Goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky, making it unlikely to travel through the air.

It is not just the pollinators that benefit from this plant. Birds will feed on the seed heads during winter. However, the deer and even rabbits will leave it alone.

Showy Goldenrod is easy to grow and works well in pollinator gardens, prairie plantings, and naturalized and traditional landscapes. It prefers full sun and is drought-tolerant once established. Unlike other goldenrod species, this species doesn’t spread. I have had it in my landscape for five years. The only way it has moved is when I chose to divide and move it.

The plant grows about four feet tall. Some gardeners pinch back young plants in spring to reduce height, encourage branching and flowering, and help prevent the stems from flopping under the weight of the blooms.

There are many types of goldenrods and just as many common names. Read labels carefully to confirm the scientific name and make sure you are getting the correct plant. For example, don’t confuse Canada, Tall or Late Goldenrod (Solidago altissima), which has similar common names like Solidago canadensis.

Both plants are also great for pollinators. However, they need to be planted in an appropriate area, as they spread by rhizomes and can create dense stands. I can only imagine what the pollinators sound like around those plants. Happy gardening!

NDSU Agriculture Communication – June 23, 2026

Source: Carrie Knutson, 701-780-8229, carrie.knutson@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu