Solidago velutina

An Aster family (Compositae) perennial wildflower native to the arid Western United States. These plants are adaptable, low water plants with a spreading habit and leaves with a velvety coating that is more pronounced in different subspecies and populations as a water saving adaptation.

Velvety goldenrod sends up flower spikes from 1 to 3 feet tall, topped in yellow gold plumes of small flowers in mid to late summer through fall. Secondary flowers bloom on a single side of their stems often creating an arcing habit. In drier natural habitats the plants grow into low loose clumps several feet wide, spreading by slender rhizomes. They grow taller an denser when in wetter conditions and they spread further in looser soils.

Like most if not all goldenrods, these flowers provide important nectar and pollen to native bees, honey bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects and creatures late in the season when many floral nectar sources have finished. As an ornamental plant, these bring color to the garden or meadow as most blooming slows down.

Goldenrod has been used traditionally for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic traits among others.

Goldenrod has been called a common allergen but this claim has been discredited and the misconception is largely due to the shared bloom time with ragweed.  Goldenrod pollen is too heavy to be wind-borne, it is carried by insects.

Plant in full sun to part shade.

Wet to dry soils.

Note: As with most drought tolerant plants, these seedlings must get regular water until the roots are established enough to survive in dry conditions.

Propagate by seed or division.

USDA hardiness zones: 5-10

Seed can be planted in spring or fall, cover very lightly or surface sow, and keep moist until germination, or spread outdoors before a period of moist soil conditions and non-freezing conditions. Germination typically occurs in 1 to 2 weeks.

Packet: 200 seeds (Because of the difficulty of cleaning goldenrod seeds, there will be lots of chaff in the packet of this variety. Over seed as germination can be sporadic!)