Solidago flexicaulis aka Zig Zag Goldenrod

Solidago flexicaulis belongs to the aster family and lives for years. Its common names are zigzag goldenrod and broadleaf goldenrod. It is native from eastern Canada into the United States. It grows in rich woods and on shaded slopes. It also grows by streams and in rocky woods. Other sites include floodplain edges, limestone cliffs, and shaded seeps. Its life in woods helps explain its worth in shade gardens.

The plant forms upright clumps and sheds its leaves each year. Chicago Botanic Garden gives its height and width as 3 feet [0.9 metres]. RHS lists heights of 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres]. It gives a spread of 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Some stems bend at each node, or joint. These bends give the plant its name. The green leaves have toothed edges. RHS says plants reach full size in two to five years.

Small yellow flowers grow along slim spikes that stand upright. The bloom season can run from July through October. RHS says it blooms in late summer. Bees, flies, and wasps visit the flowerheads. Butterflies visit them too. The flowers give these insects nectar or pollen. Chicago Botanic Garden says birds also visit the plant. You can cut the flowers for use indoors. Plants can grow from their own fallen seeds. RHS thus advises cutting them back once bloom ends.

The sources differ on how to grow this plant. Chicago Botanic Garden stresses part shade and rich woodland soil. It also lists full sun as a good choice. RHS favors full sun and soil that drains well. It accepts poor soil or soil with a fair nutrient level. RHS prefers sand but also lists loam and chalk. The plant accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Chicago lists moderate watering and USDA zones 3–8. RHS gives it H7, a rating for very cold conditions. You can split well-rooted clumps in spring or autumn.

This goldenrod suits woodland beds, borders, and gardens for wildlife. RHS also suggests sites by the coast and gravel gardens. Its list includes wildflower meadows too. Missouri Botanical Garden says it tolerates deer, clay, and deep shade. It needs little care but may spread when conditions suit it. Powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot can occur. Sources report few serious pest problems. PFAF lists leaves for tea and seeds as edible. Yet its score for use as food is zero. It lists no known hazards but gives no firm safety assessment.