Is goldenrod, Solidago, a pollinator pleaser or a garden bully? It straddles both worlds.
Goldenrod benefits 104 caterpillar and 42 bee species, making it the #1 perennial that benefits insects. It is an invaluable keystone plant and a must have in any garden.
A versatile plant, there are between 100 and 120 species. Goldenrods are suited for most settings, though the majority prefer sun. They range in height from under two ft. to over 6 ft. Bloom times vary depending on the species.
When choosing goldenrod for a garden, consider clump-forming ones. Plants that spread by rhizomes can become aggressive bullies that overrun other the rest of the garden. (I speak from experience).
Sweet goldenrod, Solidago odora, has golden flowers and an upright nature. It grows 2 to 4 ft. high and has a mild anise smell. A low maintenance, non-aggressive type of goldenrod, it grows in clump (not rhizomes). It is highly appealing to pollinators. The photo is by Helen Lowe Metzman, USGS.
Taking a tour at Mt. Cuba, I saw Indian pinks, Spigelia marilandica, for the first time. It was June and they were in full bloom. Dainty red and yellow flowers peeked out from under bushes and trees. I was enthralled.
A hummingbird favorite, the perennial forms clumps. It grows 1 to 2 ft. high and spreads from .5 to 1.5 ft wide. Native to the Southeastern United States, it grows in zones 5 to 9.
Tickseed or Coreopsis, as it is more formally known, brings charm and cheer to any garden.
They bloom in full sun from May to Aug., depending on the species. Typically yellow, the flowers are daisy-like.
Tickseed belongs in the Sunflower family. There are 75 to 80 species native to North and South America. The four species commonly grown here are large-flowered tickseed; C. grandiflora; lance-leafed tickseed, C. lanceolata; thread-leaf coreopsis, C. verticillate; and pink coreopsis, C. rosea. Pink coreopsis grows best in sandy soils.
A low-maintenance flower, it likes dry to medium, well drained soil.
The flower of a lanceleaf coreopsis, coreopsis lancelota, illustrates the sunny nature of this plant. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Agriculture.
Here is a quick profile of one coreopsis, large-flowered tickseed. It grows between 1.5 and 2.5 ft tall and spreads from 1 to 1.5 ft. This species blooms from June to Aug. Blossoms are yellow rays with darker yellow centers. An open-pollinated plant, it grows from seed, division and rhizomes. It will self-seed, but is well behaved. Deadheading will encourage new blooms.
Largeflower tickseed, C. grandiflora, will self-seed but is well behaved. Photo by Stephanie Brundage for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center.
Tickseed has been labeled a keystone perennial, one of a few plants that supports numerous insects. Seven caterpillar species use it as a host plant and 22 pollen specialist bee species rely on it. It attracts butterflies as well. Rabbit and deer resistant, it supports pollinating by being such a long-blooming plant
Coreopsis can be used as a border, in naturalized areas, meadows, prairies, or cottage gardens. For more information, see the Missouri Botanical Society.
