General Landscape Uses:
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower gardens.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries. Available in Boynton Beach at
Sustaincape Florida (561-245-5305).
Description: Medium herbaceous wildflower.
Dimensions: About 1-3 feet in height. Usually taller than broad, but sometimes falling over and forming small open patches.
Growth Rate: Moderate.
Range:
Georgia and Florida south to Miami-Dade and Collier counties.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Pinelands.
Soils: Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus
Nutritional Requirements: Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance: High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements: Full sun.
Flower Color: Yellow.
Flower Characteristics: Showy spikes.
Flowering Season: Summer-fall.
Fruit: Inconspicuous achene.
Wildlife and Ecology: Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. Valuable source of insects for birds.
References: A Gardner's Guide to Florida's Native Plants
Comments: The leaves can be used to make a tea. Goldenrods are not a cause of hay fever as has been suggested.
