Golden Rod good for bees, good as a cut flower and easy to grow. It is a perennial. It will be here next year for sure.

taken from carolinahoneybees.com 

Golden Rod good for bees, good as a cut flower and easy to grow.  It is a perennial.  The plant will be here next year for sure. 

Another warm day, the weatherman said cooler and it is in temperature down to 85F(30C) with it feeling like 90F(32C).  It is still hot out, blue sky with little wind.  I worked till 11 and I got warm working outside.  I am finally getting caught up with the watering as it isn’t so dry on the pots small and large.  Same on Thursday but a cold front coming through Friday morning which will be much needed rain, and cooler temperatures.  I am ready for these again cooler temperatures to work outside.  2 county fairs this week through the weekend.  Stay cool for sure.  Stay safe for the crews that are building homes, working outside on grain moving equipment, and road construction.  Our thoughts are with you all. 
 
Australia family and friends will have high of 56F(14C) rainy conditions and wind gusts up to 18 MPH making it feel like 37F(2C). This is for their Thursday July 30th.  Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe.
 
I didn’t get this perennial this season, but if I write about it, it will be in my mind to get some for next year.  I need to make little signs that you know what plants are good for the bees.  I know growing up, when Goldenrod was blooming in the ditches, my dad would say it affected his allergies.  But it isn’t goldenrod, but it the ragweed that gives us that sneezing and coughing. 

How to Grow Goldenrod: A Native Plant for Fall Color and Pollinators Written By:  Andy Wilcox
Native plants that provide color and habitat are in focus now, and goldenrod fits that bill perfectly. Whether in a modern meadow, as a patch in a perennial bed, or even in a container on the patio, goldenrod brings fall color and graceful feathery plumes to the landscape. And it’s great for our buzzing friends!
About Goldenrod
For many, this plant seems to need little introduction. We’ve blown past it growing in ditches on the highway, seen it popping up behind the shed, or vaguely appreciated its nodding yellow heads on tall stems as part of the pleasing earth tones of an early fall meadow. But many of us have never thought of growing goldenrod on purpose. Isn’t it just a weed?
Goldenrod is a large group of plants in the genus Solidago, although you’ll also see plants from Euthamia and Oligoneuron called goldenrods. Unless you’re a botanist, you likely won’t be able to tell the difference. Most goldenrods are tall and enjoy drier sites, but with over one hundred species, there are goldenrods to fit almost any soil type and location. They’re herbaceous perennials that tolerate poor sites and even clay soils as long as there’s some drainage.
Goldenrods sometimes get a reputation as spreaders, and some species sprawl out quite easily, reproducing from rhizomes. There are goldenrods with more fibrous root systems, sometimes called clumping goldenrods, which are better at staying put where you plant them, although they can spread by seed.
Goldenrod for Pollinators
Goldenrod blooms in late summer and carries flower heads well into fall. It’s native to North America and is a fantastic food source for many of our pollinators, especially as typical summer flowers begin to fade out and pollen becomes more scarce. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better all-purpose pollinator plant for your garden.
While a field full of goldenrods pleases the bees, our eyes may wish for a bit more variety. Fortunately, several other natives, such as asters, mountain mint, milkweeds, bee balm, and Joe-pye weed, are easy to combine with goldenrod plantings. Add native grasses like big bluestem and switchgrass for a native pollinator patch that will wave in the wind and be alive with activity.
Does Goldenrod Cause Allergies?
Goldenrod is not the yellow autumn native plant responsible for your allergies flaring up. Goldenrod pollen is heavier and sticky and doesn’t become airborne. The correct plant to assign your irritation to is ragweed, which disperses zillions of pollen grains that float across the wind and into your sinuses.
Planting
Goldenrods will put on their best showy colors if planted in full sun, but they’ll make do with only partial sunshine. Mostly, they prefer dry to medium moisture and acidic pH, but a few species readily grow in wetter meadow-like conditions. Shop around for the right cultivar and species for your location, as these perennials can be around for a while.
Goldenrod looks best in larger plantings. Use patches to bring out the color and allow it to take hold in a spot. It also looks perfect as a border plant along a fence mixed with other natives.
Is Goldenrod a Good Cut Flower?  Another reason to grow it.
Yes — goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is considered a good cut flower for late-summer and fall floral arrangements Harvest to Table. Its bright yellow, dense flower clusters are long-lasting in the vase, and the stems are sturdy enough to support blooms without wilting quickly.
Why It Works Well as a Cut Flower
Long vase life: Goldenrod flowers stay fresh for several days when cut and placed in water cdmra.org.
Sturdy stems: The upright, fibrous stems hold their shape well, making them suitable for both fresh and dried arrangements Harvest to Table.
Color and texture: The bright yellow plumes add vibrancy to floral designs, especially in late-season bouquets.
Low maintenance: Once cut, goldenrod doesn’t require heavy feeding or frequent watering, making it easy to maintain in a vase cdmra.org.
Best Practices for Cutting and Arranging
Cutting time: Harvest stems in the late morning when flowers are fully open but not fading. This ensures the best color and longevity scienceinsights.org.
Cutting technique: Use sharp shears to cut stems at a 45° angle to maximize water uptake.
Vase care: Change water every 2–3 days and trim stems slightly each time to extend life.
Arrangement tips: Pair goldenrod with complementary late-blooming flowers like asters, chrysanthemums, or ornamental grasses for a seasonal look Harvest to Table.
Goldenrod is also valued in gardens for its pollinator appeal, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. While it’s primarily grown for its ecological benefits, its cut flower qualities make it a versatile choice for both garden and floral design.
Bottom line: Goldenrod is a reliable, low-maintenance cut flower that adds color, structure, and longevity to floral arrangements, especially in late summer and fall.
Growing
Like many natives, goldenrod won’t need much attention from you. That’s one of the great reasons to plant them!
Deadheading isn’t required.
Goldenrods grown in the ground won’t need fertilizing, but those in containers will benefit from a monthly general-purpose fertilizer. Follow the directions on the label.
 Pests and Problems
Goldenrods don’t suffer many issues but may be slightly affected by powdery mildew.
Types
Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) earns its name with larger flower heads atop strong dark stems. A later bloomer with a fibrous root system, this species is less likely to spread. It’s winter hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8 and reaches a mature height of about 3 to 4 feet.
Late goldenrod (S. gigantea) is a tall species, often reaching 6 feet. It tolerates wetter sites than other goldenrods and is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8. This is an aggressive spreader, sending out rhizomes to conquer the landscape.
Sweet goldenrod (S. odora) is a modest plant, about 3 feet tall. It’s clump forming and won’t spread, and it’s perfect for smaller spots where it can be a showy splash of fall color.
Wit and Wisdom
The genus name Solidago comes from the Latin word solidus, which means to make whole, referring to the plant’s use as a medicinal plant.
According to Robin Sweetser, “Some Native American tribes used the fresh or dried flowers in tea to cure different ailments. Today, it’s often used as a medicinal herb to relieve colds, fevers, and the flu.”
After tossing all the tea in the harbor, Bostonians experimented with making tea out of goldenrod and other native berries and plants.
Goldenrods are deer-resistant, especially once they start to get tall and woody-stemmed.
Goldenrod is the state flower of Nebraska and Kentucky.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/goldenrod
Till next time this is Becky Litterer , Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse
image taken from carolinahoneybees.com