Into the Woods with Curio: Goldenrod- Not a weed
Doug Smith
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
John 7:24
When goldenrod starts to flower it is as much of a sign that fall is coming as when the leaves start to turn colour. Their tall stalks of bright, plumed gold flowers are a common sight in the fields and along the roadsides at Beacon, and throughout Muskoka and southern Ontario. This year they seem to be especially abundant, and because I always thought of them as something of a weed, I started to pull them out of my garden. However, I have learned that goldenrod is not a weed, but an important part of the local ecosystem.
A late bloomer, goldenrod provides a much-needed source of pollen for many insects well into the fall, after most other flowers have gone to seed. Ecologists have discovered that it is a vital food source for monarch butterflies as they make their way south. Bumblebee queens need it as food as they prepare for their winter hibernation. Many other bees, and even some pollinating wasps also rely on goldenrod as a source of food to help them prepare for their upcoming hibernation.
There are at least 30 species of goldenrod native to Ontario, though not all are commonly found in Muskoka or around camp. Two common species are the Canada goldenrod, which has spreading blooms that are about 12 to 24 cm long, and the Showy goldenrod, which has more feathery blooms that grow to about 15 to 20 cm long.
These two species, along with several others are now being encouraged to grow in residential gardens rather than being treated as a weed, as I was doing. They are being planted to attract pollinators, including some specialist bees, which are bee species that are only able to use the pollen from a few species of flowers, including certain kinds of goldenrod. Hardy and adaptable, goldenrod also serves as a host plant for many moth and butterfly caterpillars, which in turn provide many birds and other animals with a significant source of insect protein.
All of the above are good reasons to plant some goldenrod, if you have room, and are not worried about goldenrod as a possible cause of hay-fever. Goldenrod is often confused with ragweed, which is famous as a problem plant for hay-fever sufferers. Goldenrod doesn’t cause hay-fever because its pollen is too heavy to be carried in the wind. Its flowers look quite different, as well. The smaller ragweed plant’s green flowers produce profuse amounts of wind-blown pollen, causing many allergy sufferers much grief. At one time Muskoka was a haven for allergy sufferers from the city because the region was ragweed free. Unfortunately, ragweed eventually made its way into Muskoka, and the region’s ragweed-free status was lost.
Regardless of whether it’s in your garden, along the roadsides or out on the fields, goldenrod is an undervalued but essential late-blooming plant, providing sustenance for many at a critical time of the year. I missed understanding the worth of this common ‘weed’ because I based its value solely on outward appearances.