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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 6h

Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) has a very small range in Georgia. This perennial, clumping aster seems to prefer woodland areas where it grows to about 2 ½ feet tall with a branching panicle of pale blue or lavender-colored flowers. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 1d

A larger, showier and more sun-loving aster blooming now is “late” purple aster, Symphyotrichum patens. A smaller flower head (1") and a bright yellow center of disk flowers helps distinguish it from Georgia aster which grows in similar conditions with similar clasping, rough leaves. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 2d

A soft blue aster blooming now is heart-leaved blue aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium). Small flowers cluster closely along the stems, with numerous branches reaching up 3-4 feet tall. This aster is fine with part-shade and tolerates a range of moisture conditions. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 3d

This is white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), naturally found only in the northern counties of Georgia, it has soft, leafy foliage closer to the ground with stems of white flowers held above up to about 2 feet. Great perennial for shady areas and fairly drought tolerant. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 4d

Eurybia is a group of plants that were split out of the Aster genus when North American asters were taxonomically reevaluated. This is a gorgeous purple one from Cherokee County that is likely Eurybia surculosa. Eurybias often flower earlier than the asters in the Symphyotrichum genus. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 5d

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) is a native perennial that modestly blooms in late summer. While the tiny blooms aren’t very noticeable to humans, insects pollinate them and create seeds for winter birds. It grows abundantly on roadsides. The foliage is mildly aromatic. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 6d

The last goldenrod we'll feature is downy ragged goldenrod, or Solidago petiolaris. This species has fairly large flowerheads and the plant itself can be 3-4' tall. It is a statuesque, well-behaved plant found in the lower Piedmont to upper Coastal Plain... and great for a garden! #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 6d

There are some shade tolerant goldenrods. Blooming now is blue-stem or wreath goldenrod, Solidago caesia. This perennial grows to about 3' tall but the stems usually arch away from the center so it may not even be that tall; growth habit is clumping so this is very well behaved. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 8d

So while you may not want this particular one in your garden (but maybe along your road), please give it a cheerful nod this season and recognize what a powerful workhorse it is for the native critters around us.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 8d

Tall goldenrod, like all goldenrods, is a host plant to over 100 different butterflies and moths – more than any other perennial. And come winter, its seedheads will nourish many a songbird.

Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 8d

This is the one that you see all OVER the side of the road and the one that mistakenly gets blamed for fall allergies. Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is a perennial, rhizomatous native flower that keeps bees and late butterflies very happy as a bountiful source of nectar. (1/3) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 9d

Occasionally the leaves will turn to burgundy towards the end of the season, a beautiful complement to the flowers.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 9d

Here is the other species with the common name “showy goldenrod.” This is Solidago erecta and it is a well behaved “clumper.” When undisturbed, it produces a single long wand of flowers; if nipped by a deer or broken by accident, it will produce multiple shorter stalks. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 10d

It even tolerates being in a large pot with other perennials.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 10d

One of two goldenrods that share the name “showy” goldenrod, Solidago speciosa is a tall, handsome clumping form. The individual flowers are fairly large compared to other species. Native to scattered areas of Georgia, this is one of the earlier blooming species. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 11d

Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) is a clumping goldenrod found throughout the upper 2/3 of Georgia and much of the US. The foliage is grayish and the panicles of tiny blooms arch over. Sometimes called “field” goldenrod, this is one tough plant and grows even in poor, rocky soils. #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 12d

Beggarticks is an awful name for a plant, but this one has enough good looks to overcome it, don’t you think? The name really only refers to the seeds’ ability to latch on and stick to you as you walk by.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 12d

This is bearded beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), an annual or biennial that blooms in late summer, sometimes in large groups (roadside enhancement!). The lobed foliage is very supple, quite unlike the stiff and unlobed foliage of sunflowers, a quick way to differentiate them. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 13d

Some people have found it very adaptable to gardens. Not that you would eat it, but all parts of the plant are poisonous.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 13d

Southern blue monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum) is an uncommon perennial in the buttercup family with a twining habit that almost resembles a vine. It can be found in rich woods in moist habitat. The bright and unusually shaped flowers bloom in late summer in north Georgia. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 13d

Growing to 3 feet in tough conditions, it will grow taller in garden settings with good soil/moisture.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 13d

Seaside goldenrod is a coastal species (Solidago sempervirens). This goldenrod can actually grow near the beach and handle salty conditions. It is native along the coast from Texas to Newfoundland. Same great wildlife benefits as all the goldenrods. (1/2) #nativeplants

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 15d

This one is anise-scented goldenrod (Solidago odora), named for the aromatic smell of its leaves when lightly crushed. While this one generally resembles the panicles of the aggressive roadside goldenrod (S. altissima), it is a shorter plant and a clumping species which doesn’t spread by roots.

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Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 15d

Those bright yellow flowers are there to attract insects because their pollen is too heavy to travel on the wind (and into your nose). Your allergies are caused by ragweed and grasses, plants whose lightweight pollen is carried on the breeze.

Georgia Native Plant Society @ganativeplants.bsky.social · 15d

The goldenrods (Solidago spp) are starting to bloom on the roadside and in fields. With every glimpse of those bright yellow flowers, people with fall allergies are getting nervous. But don’t blame the flowers you see, for goldenrod is not the culprit. (1/3) #nativeplants

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