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Canadian Goldenrod is a herbaceous perennial wildflower native to Eastern North America that blooms in late Summer / early Fall. It has showy yellow flowers giving roadside ditches, powerline cuts, meadows and fields a bright yellow to golden color. It is prolific in that you rarely see a single plant, more often dozens to thousands covering abandoned fields, ditches, and other unused ground that gets full sun. In addition to being aggressive or weedy in North America, this flower is considered invasive in other parts of the world. Canadian Goldenrod has been documented as being invasive throughout Europe, parts of Asia, and Australia. I have personally seen the roadsides in Southern Sweden overrun with this lovely, but thuggish wildflower. There are numerous species of Goldenrod. And they can be somewhat tricky to differentiate. But Canadian Goldenrod seems to be the most common one that I encounter. I always have some volunteers in my flowerbeds - even though I have never planted any. The closest goldenrods that I let grow are generally 10-40' away. So, they will self seed nearby, and from a distance! Canadian Goldenrod Facts Dozens of bees and occasional butterfly will feed on the nectar, making this a very important plant for the environment The Native Range of Canadian Goldenrod is from Kansas to Virginia, and North into Canada (hence the common name) Over 40 species of moth caterpillars feed on foliage Can spread aggressively via rhizome roots Thrives in disturbed sites and is common to see along roads, power line cuts, etc Is hardy from USDA zones 3-9, check your USDA zone here The Scientific Name of Canadian Goldenrod is Solidago canadensis Canadian Goldenrod Identification and Physical Description Canadian Goldenrod typically (more…)