When the gardening season starts winding down, most of our favorite blooms are already calling it quits. But there’s one late-season superstar that keeps the party going: the Goldenrod. This hardy plant is a total lifesaver for fall color, blooming from mid-summer straight through the first frosts of autumn.
From August to October
As a classic late-bloomer, Goldenrod usually starts showing off its signature yellow flowers in August. While a few of the hundred-plus species might get an early start in July, you won’t find any “early birds” in this family. The best part? They keep pushing out new blossoms well into October, providing a much-needed snack for pollinators when other food sources are scarce.
Choosing the Right Variety
One of the coolest things about Goldenrod is the variety. Depending on the species, you can find everything from tiny border plants to towering back-of-the-garden giants. Here are a few fan-favorites that look amazing in a home landscape:
- Cloth of Gold: Deep yellow blooms on compact plants (12–18 inches tall).
- Gardone: Bright yellow, large panicles that reach up to 40 inches.
- Golden Gate: A lovely pale yellow, sitting right at 20 inches tall.
- Golden Wings: A real showstopper with deep yellow flowers reaching 6 to 7 feet high!
- Goldenmosa: Soft, primrose-yellow plumes on 30-inch stems.
- Goldkind: Dense, deep yellow clusters that grow to about 24 inches.
- Laurin: A cute dwarf variety with deep yellow flowers, staying between 12 and 16 inches.
Pruning After the Bloom
To keep your Goldenrod in check, timing is everything. It’s super important to prune them back right after the flowers fade. If you let them go to seed, they’ll happily hitch a ride on the wind and pop up all over your yard. If that happens, you’ll find yourself having to get rid of them in places they don’t belong!
Keep in mind that some varieties also spread through their root systems (rhizomes). If you’re worried about them taking over, look for cultivated varieties specifically bred to be less aggressive spreaders. That way, you get all the golden beauty without the garden takeover!
