Solidago, commonly called
goldenrods, is a genus of about 100 to 120 species of flowering plants in the
aster family, Asteraceae. Most people are familiar with goldenrod, with its
bright yellow plumes in late summer and early fall. For years it has been
blamed for the hay fever that so many people get at that time of year, perhaps
because the fuzzy goldenrod flowers look so pollen laden. In fact it is the sly,
less conspicuous flowers of ragweed that cause most of the trouble. The many
goldenrod species can be difficult to distinguish, due to their similar bright,
golden-yellow flower heads that bloom in late summer.
People also don’t realize that
there are several different species of goldenrod. Hybrid forms are even sold.
In Europe goldenrod is more treasured as a garden plant that it is here. The best
goldenrods to grow are probably the ones native to your area, though goldenrods
are very adaptable. Most are typically found in rather infertile meadows. In
fact farmers where the soil of an abandoned field needs work if they see
goldenrod growing there. Solidago species are perennials growing from woody
caudices or rhizomes.
Canada goldenrod “Solidago
canadensis” is a common species that likes meadows slightly moist in spring and
dry in summer, and grows up to four feet. Wrinkled or rough stemmed goldenrod “S.rugosa”
is similar though sometimes taller. Both are hardy to zone 3. Showy or noble
goldenrod “S. speciosa” can grow quite tall and has particularly fine gold
flowers, hardy to zone 5 or 6. Seaside goldenrod “S. sempervirens” hardy to
Zone 5, blooms a long time, even into late fall, and the leaves are evergreen.
It is the best species to grow in seaside locations.
Some species produce abundant
nectar when moisture is plentiful, or when the weather is warm and sunny. Moreover,
goldenrods prefer full sun. They can be very invasive, spreading by creeping
rootstocks and self sowing, especially in moist, fertile soil. They may need to
be controlled in a garden setting but are good flowers for a meadow garden. To propagate,
divide in late winter or early spring. Goldenrods are, in some places,
considered a sign of good luck or good fortune.
Queen Annne’slace “Daucus Carota” flower is so common that you might assume t
to be an American native, but it’s really from Afghanistan and was introduced
to the Europe in colonial times. Meadows roadsides and overgrown fields are
full of it lacy, flat umbels made up of many tiny white flowers and a solitary
purple one right in the center. They bloom a long time, from June to August in
most areas, which means you have them throughout the summer to lighten and
soften bouquets of brighter, less delicate flowers. You may like the way the
flowers look when they are fading and start to close up like little cups. They
are the same species as our common garden carrot, and in fact if you pull one
up you will see a carrot shaped, carrot smelling taproot, though its stringy
and white instead of fat and orange. The plants are hardy. 
Moreover Queen Anne’slace will
grow in cultivated gardens, although if the soil is very fertile and stems may
become leggy. It will tolerate dry,
infertile soil quite well but needs at least a half day of full sun. In spite
of the fact that it chooses to live in meadows, it cannot compete with vigorous
rooted perennials and grasses. It is best simply to naturalize a clump of it somewhere
and keep the soil weeded and cultivated so that the plant will self sow
abundantly. Like many members of umbelliferae, Queens Anne’slace
does this well anywhere, but in cultivated ground it will do so best. On the
other hand, if you don’t want it to self sow, deadhead the plants or just pick
them. There’s always a place for another bouquet of Queen Anne’slace. Like
other tap rooted plants they can’t be divided but seeds can be collected when
dry and sown outdoors in late spring. 
