With their bright yellow flower spikes, Canada Goldenrod has won over plenty of backyard gardeners. It’s easy to see why—since it’s a late bloomer, it adds a gorgeous pop of color to the yard between August and October when most other plants have already called it quits for the season. But as pretty as it looks, this plant actually comes with some serious downsides.
Crowding Out Native Species
There are a few big reasons why you might want to think twice about letting Canada Goldenrod take over. The main issue is its aggressive nature; as a pioneer species, it’s incredibly good at grabbing a foothold anywhere there’s bare soil. Once it moves in, it spreads fast, eventually crowding out the native plants that our local ecosystems rely on.
A Tough Spot for Bees
Another problem is the bloom time. While it’s nice to have flowers late in the year, Canada Goldenrod doesn’t actually offer much nectar. For our local bees and pollinators, these flowers aren’t a great food source. By keeping this plant in check, you’re actually helping support a healthier, more diverse habitat for our insect friends.
How to Take Control
If you want to keep your garden’s ecological balance in check, managing Canada Goldenrod is a must. It’s a super hardy plant that can easily escape your garden beds and pop up where it’s not wanted. If you find it taking over your outdoor space, here’s the best way to handle it:
- Keep the plants trimmed back regularly.
- This is especially important right after they finish blooming. Once the flowers fade, the seeds start to ripen—the only way to stop them from spreading is a consistent, heavy pruning.
- Dig up the rhizomes. If you don’t get the roots, Canada Goldenrod will just keep spreading underground even if you stop the seeds.
Because those roots are so persistent, it’s also a smart move to cover the cleared area with a heavy tarp or landscape fabric. This smothers any remaining bits of root and gives you the best shot at making sure the goldenrod stays gone for good.
