I have lots of goldenrod seedlings coming up around in my yard now. Call me a nut for letting the weeds grow, but I happen to like the goldenrods at the very back of some of my flower beds. They can grow to be about 7 - 8 feet high and flower around Sept. - Oct. here in my borderline Zone 8b/9a garden. The tall splash of color adds to the plantings at the rear of the flowerbeds.
I haven't done a definitive I.D. on the species, but the flower heads mostly resemble Solidago canandensis ( http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1154/index.html )
The goldenrods have been erroneously connected with "hay fever." They are not wind pollinated and therefore not a source of allergens (for most people). The flower heads are useful in flower arrangements for a nice yellow spray of color.
I'll send them SASE or send me some of your "weeds" in trade.
Jeremy
Anybody want tall goldenrod for a native plant garden?
Hi Jeremy,
I'd definately like some. They'll handle summer heat and drought, won't they? I've got some good weeds but I am afraid to name them. Too inexperienced, so far. I know there is lots of sage along the river (Trinity), wild roses, blackberries (himalayan, I'm told), black locust seedlings, pepperwood (California Bay Laurel) seedlings, ivy (awful weed), fern, wild plum seedlings.... Everything grows here to some extent. Laura
Hi, 4Paws. Thanks for your interest in the Goldenrod. I live in a zone that is Zone 8b winters and Zone 9a summers, so the goldenrod should do fine in your Zone 9b. The only difference in our climates may be that we are hot and HUMID here in summer, where you may be on the drier side, but I don't think that drier conditions will affect the goldenrods too adversely.
Let me know how many of the goldenrod seedlings you would like to try. I have a couple of dozen of good sized self-seeded plants that I'm ready to take up and move to as many places as I can use them and then discard the rest if no one else wants any.
I would love to get a surprise package of sprigs of any sort of "weeds" in return from you to see how your natives might transplant from CA to FL, or you can just pay postage for the goldenrods and I'll send them to you.
Jeremy
Hi Jeremy!
Sounds great - 6 would probably be a solid start, but I'd take more, just putting the cap on shipping costs, I suppose However, I can't promise what I would send would be a CA native; there are many transplants that have naturalized (I think that's the term). My knowledge is very limited. What I know for certain is native is the CA bay laurel tree(http://www.paleotechnics.com/Articles/Bayarticle.html). The sage and some roses could be native, but other plants are likely escaped imports that have thrived wildly. It will be fun to put a package together for you. What do we do next (total newbie, here)? (I'll go review the trading info again.... :-)
Just box any of the plants that are most convenient for you, 4paws. Whatever they are, they are "native" to someplace in the world. My garden is an ecclectic blend of at least one of everything that can possibly grow in my climate, so it is more of a "botanical" type garden instead of an ornamental garden. I'll be happy to try anything that is easy for you to send.
All we do now is exchange mailing addresses. My address is available in the member address exchange list, which I think is found under the "extras" tab on the DG home page. The other method of exchanging mailing addresses is to send a private D-mail, which I will do now. Looking forward to initiating you into the joy of DG plant swapping!
Jeremy
I've sent you a d-mail with my address. I spent most of the day yesterday playing in the dirt (and rain) and found some interesting plants and the most abundant, fat, wonderful worms. I wish I had more knowledge, because I don't want to send invasive weeds, but I think you'll know more about what you're getting than me, so if it's awful, you can just toss it. I'm definately ready for the goldenrod.
I'm interested in goldenrod, too. I don't think I have anything that will grow in your area so I would send postage instead. My area is best sticking to Zone 4 although technically I'm zone 5. Goldenrod easily works up here, and I'm interested in it for flowers in the house.
Hi Jeremy,
I'd be interested in trying a few if you have any left.
Jan...
There's plenty to spare, Jan. Send me a D-mail as a reminder and I'll get some out to you.
The major fund raiser I've spent much of the last year hleping to organize (and which has become a full-time/non-paying job or more for the past couple of weeks1) will be over March 23. I'll be able to shift my focus to less demanding and more enjoyable tasks, like plant trades and gardening after next Thursday!
Jeremy
Jeremy,
Can you bring some to the roundup? There is a slim possibility that I may make it afterall but won't know till the end of the week.
Jan...
I checked today and have plenty for all, so just send me a D-mail so that my feeble brain (which is now totally seized up with helping pull off a $50,000 fund raiser for a charity in one night this Thursday!) will remember your request. The seedlings are growing so fast that many of them can barely be called seedlings anymore - they are now about 8 - 12 inches high! You have to grow fast if you want to reach 6 - 7 feet in one season, I guess!
I will bring some to our Central Florida round up this weekend for you Jan, and hope that you can make it!
Jeremy
Wow - what an undertaking! I'll be thinking of you on Thursday! Hope it all goes smoothly!
Laura
It's Thursday...your event is probably in progress! Good thoughts!