Early Goldenrod - Solidago juncea

Features: Early Goldenrod features gracefully arching plumes of small yellow flowers. It is the first goldenrod to bloom in IL with flowering beginning in July and lasting about 1.5 months.  Early goldenrod is adaptable to multiple soil types growing in loam, clay, sand or gravel.

This goldenrod can spread by rhizomes and may require thinning in a small garden.  Provide good plant competition nearby to help keep it behaving.

Like other goldenrods, the flowers attract an insect bonanza of bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies.  Additionally, goldenrods are host plants for dozens of moth species in IL (see Illinois Wildflowers for moth table).

Light: Full to partial sun

Soil: Medium to dry conditions

Height: 3 feet

Blooms: July, August

See more information and photos at Illinois Wildflowers and Minnesota Wildflowers

Photo credit: 1) IL Wildflowers; 2) Peter Dziuk, Minnesota Wildflowers