Solidago virgaurea
True Goldenrod
Common names: Common Goldenrod
Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Solidago virgaurea is a native perennial that produces bright yellow flower spikes from July to September, providing one of the last abundant food sources for bees and butterflies in late summer. It grows upright and can reach 30 to 80 cm tall. The plant prefers sunny to slightly shaded sites with well‑drained, not overly fertile soil. Unlike introduced American goldenrods, it spreads modestly and remains suitable for beds or along woodland edges.
Care instructions
Plant in a sunny to slightly shaded spot with well‑drained, low‑fertility soil; heavy soil makes the plant droop and less sturdy. It tolerates brief dry periods and only needs extra water during prolonged heat. After flowering, leave spent stems to provide winter habitat for insects and seed for birds. A light pruning in early spring (week 8 to 10) is sufficient. The plant is hardy and requires no extra winter protection. Every few years, divide the clump to keep the plant vigorous and to replenish other garden areas.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, dry, lean, sandy
Feeding
Light feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
carrot family (Apiaceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Carrotcelery rootDillParsleyCarrot fennelCoriander and 19 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Rather not
nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Sunflowers release substances into the soil that inhibit potato tuber growth, and they also compete for water and nutrients.
For example PotatoTomatoSweet pepperCocktail tomatoEggplantCape gooseberry and 9 more species in the catalogue
Source: basic crop-rotation rule
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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