Flower spotlight: Goldenrod (Yellow Solidago)

Yellow solidago, also known as goldenrod, is a perennial herb commonly found in North America, Mexico, and some parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. The flower consists of radiate blooms, which are tiny yellow florets that clump together at the top of the stem.

It primarily blooms in late summer and can grow over three feet tall. Their nectar attracts bees, flies, wasps, and butterflies and produces a spicy honey that can be fairly harsh both in smell and taste before it fully matures into a milder, more palatable flavor.

Some regions consider the herb to be a sign of good fortune, while others consider them a weed, and others still consider them to be a prize in their gardens. Americans started adopting European ideas and thinking of yellow solidago more as wildflowers than weeds in the 1980s and, since that time, they have earned a more common place in North American gardens. But in China and Germany, they’re considered to be an invasive species that harms native vegetation.

Originally cultivated in the Arab world for medicinal purposes, this little herb made its way to Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries and became widely used as an antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, and treatment for minor wounds. The leaves are edible and used in teas and certain foods, and it has also become a popular essential oil.

In cut floral bouquets, a few bright goldenrods can cheer up any room either as a focal point or as a lovely pop of accent color in a summertime arrangement. They can also be dried and used in more long-lasting bouquets, wreaths, or craft projects.