Solidago bicolor aka Silverrod

Solidago bicolor is a wildflower in the aster family. It is perennial, which means it lives for several years. Its names include white goldenrod, silver-rod, and silver rod. It grows in eastern Canada and parts of the United States. Kew places its range in the north-central and eastern United States. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It grows where the climate is temperate, and forms upright clumps.

The stems look gray and have hairs but no scent. Green leaves grow along each stem in an alternate pattern. This means they grow in turns, not in pairs. The upper leaves are elliptical, with an oval shape. The lower leaves have stalks and small teeth on their edges. Soft, grayish down coats these lower leaves. Their shape and soft hairs help tell the leaves apart. Long flower spikes rise above the clump on leafy stems.

The flowers open from July through October, in summer and fall. Each spike bears small flower heads on very short branches. White or creamy-white ray flowers ring a yellow central disk. This pale shade sets the plant apart from many goldenrods. NC State calls it the East Coast's only white-rayed goldenrod. The heads are small, but their long groups stand out. These blooms bring much of its late-season appeal to gardens.

Grow white goldenrod in full sun or part shade. It suits dry ground and can grow in poor soil. NC State says it prefers soil with a high clay content. It also lists loam, sand, and shallow, rocky soils as suitable. All these soils must drain well. Once growing, the plant copes with drought and dry soil. NC State lists USDA hardiness zones 5a through 10b. It says growth is medium and care needs are low. You can also raise more plants by division, or splitting clumps.

White goldenrod suits woods, native plant gardens, and butterfly gardens. Butterflies, native bees, and honey bees feed on its nectar. Other pollinators visit the blooms, too. The plant hosts the young of the wavy-lined emerald moth. Songbirds eat its seeds, so wildlife gains after blooms fade. It resists deer, which helps where their feeding limits plant choice. NC State reports no known insect or disease problems. It also rates the plant's fire risk as medium. The supplied evidence gives no firm basis for advice on human edibility.