Old Field Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis

Solidago nemoralis, or Common 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.; however, removing the flower heads before they ripen to seed will help prevent seed dispersal. Another member of the Goldenrod genus without the same set of problems is Solidago odora.

Seed germination for propagation may be increased with stratification, but this pre-treatment is not absolutely necessary. If planting untreated seed, be sure it is fresh. You can also propagate by division of mature plants, but make sure each section has a bud and a root.

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. 

Because the Solidago genus includes about 120 species with similar traits, this particular plant, which is one of the smallest of the genus, may get confused with some of its other cousins.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Beetles, aphids and gall-forming insects may feed on plants.  Can be susceptible to rust, anthracnose, powdery mildew and leaf spot.