Early goldenrod’s arching yellow flowers have a look of joyful abandon, like sunlit waves crashing into shore. The arrival of the plant’s blooms signals a windfall for pollinators, which visit enthusiastically. The goldenrods support so many organisms that they have been termed “keystone plants,” and it is recommended that every garden include at least one goldenrod. Early goldenrod is distinguished among the goldenrods for having an exceptionally high number of flowers per stem – 14.5 thousand, on average. Due to the flowers’ shallow corollas, the nectar serves a diversity of both short and long-tongued insects. Common visitors include hover flies, tachinid flies, wasps, beetles, small bees, large bees, moths, and butterflies. Research suggests that early goldenrod may be especially important to native bees, attracting more of the indigenous pollinators and fewer nonnative honeybees than do other goldenrods. Native to NE Ohio meadows and forest edges, early goldenrod grows well in both full sun and partial shade, and in soils ranging from moderate moisture to dry. Due to the plant’s tolerance of drought-prone soils, it’s a perfect choice for moisture-deprived areas such as tree lawns. Blooming from July into August, early goldenrod is also a nice option for partially shaded spots such as below the edge of a tree canopy. It can be difficult to find midsummer blooming species for such areas, but plants like early goldenrod, purple coneflower, and early sunflower are good choices. Growing to 3’ in height and producing a minimal number of rhizomes, early goldenrod is neither overbearing nor aggressive. Photos by Julie Slater.
