Solidago juncea

Solidago juncea is a yellow-flowering perennial native to our region, although uncommon in the southeastern coastal plain. It naturally occurs in a wide variety of habitats including: meadows, roadsides, and open woodlands. It grows well in sites with average to dry soils, and in full sun to part-shade. It is drought resistant, and grows up to four feet tall each season. It dies back completely in the winter, but leaving dormant stems up until spring provides necessary over-wintering habitat for pollinators. Erect clusters of yellow flowers bloom from mid-summer into early fall, and attract many pollinators. As the common name suggests, Early goldenrod blooms earlier than most other goldenrods in our region. Birds eat the seeds in winter. Solidago juncea works well as a specimen plant in a yard, or for prairie restoration projects.