Solidago altissima

Late or Tall Goldenrod

• Full sun to light shade
• Average to poor soils
• 3' to 5' in height (can grow taller if among other tall plants). Spreads quickly, beyond what would fit with most gardens.
• Ideal for pollinator meadows and similar settings.

In a lot of ways, this species is nearly indistinguishable from Canada Goldenrod. They are big, beautiful and love to fill all available space. In fact, if you would like to know more about their growth and ecosystem traits, I encourage you to check out the Facebook profile I posted for Canada Goldenrod 

Their most distinguishing characteristic is a slightly later blooming season, something that isn’t particularly helpful for identification unless there are patches of S. canadensis and S. altissima growing in the same setting, where the offset of bloom times can be more definitely attributed to a difference in species, rather then a difference in growing conditions.

My particular interest in these relates to how they can extend the blooming season in an ecosystem. With both the start and the end of the growing season becoming less certain and an expected two-week shift in the start of spring and three-week shift to the start of fall over the next couple of decades, extending the season of nectar and pollen availability is something that is on my mind.

Introducing a later blooming Goldenrod species into some spaces where Goldenrod and Asters are already common seems like one way to help ensure that there will be food for everyone up until the end of the season.

They also come with the added aesthetic bonus of having a blooming season that overlaps nicely with New England Aster in the Ottawa valley, creating a gorgeous tapestry of gold and yellow that absolutely hums with life.