Solidago Gardening Tips    | |||||
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Solidago is a genus of flowering plants in family Asteraceae, comprising about 100 species. It is native to Mexico, South America and Eurasia. Solidago is commonly known as Golden Rod. Solidago species are perennial known for their bright, golden yellow flowers blooming in late summer. They can be found growing in meadows and pastures, ditches and waste areas in North America. The blooming flowers attract pollinating insects, which in turn attract birds. Seed heads left in winter will be a source of food for the birds including finches, linnets and siskins. Solidago are mostly short-day plants and bloom in late summer and early autumn. Some species produce abundant nectar when moisture is plentiful before bloom, and the bloom period is relatively warm and sunny. Solidago can be used in dried flowers decorations and making tea. Solidago species have slender stems, usually hairless but Solidago canadensis has hairs on the upper stem. They can grow up to 1.5 m tall. The leaves are linear to lanceolate, with finely to sharply serrated margins. Solidago is used as food plants by larvae of some Lepidoptera species such as Common Pug, Dot Moth, Lime-speck Pug and Setaceous Hebrew Character. Solidago canadensis (Canada golden rod) is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America, and is often grown as wildflower. It is an erect plant bearing small yellow heads of flowers, held above the foliage on a branching inflorescence. In many parts of Europe and China, it is established as an invasive weed. In Germany, it is considered an invasive species that displaces native vegetation from its natural habitat. Plant Solidago in full sun and well-drained soil. Propagation is by wind-disseminated seeds; division in spring or autumn. Disease that attacks the plants is mildew.  Solidago canadensis Author: Teacoolish (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported)  Solidago alpestris Author: Opioła Jerzy (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic)  Solidago gigantea Author: TeunSpaans (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)  Solidago gigantea Author: Pethan (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)  Solidago uliginosa Author: JoJan (public domain)  Solidago virgaurea Author: Strobilomyces (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0-unported)  Solidago virgaurea Author: Fabelfroh (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0) | |||||
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