this post was submitted on 15 May 2025
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Native Plant Gardening

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Planted a bunch of the park and more will go to friends and my yard.

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[–] Big_Boss_77@lemmynsfw.com 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

I wish I could grow this stuff... but it kills me during allergy season.

Edit: Since mine is the parent comment, I'll update with what I've learned

Ragweed and Goldenrod are different plants.

Goldenrod pollen is too heavy to blow into the air and cause allergic reaction unless you get very close/handle it.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

From Wikipedia (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solidago):

Goldenrod often is inaccurately said to cause hay fever in humans.[26] The pollen causing this allergic reaction is produced mainly by ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), blooming at the same time as the goldenrod and pollinated by wind. Goldenrod pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is pollinated mainly by insects.[26] Frequent handling of goldenrod and other flowers, however, can cause allergic reactions, sometimes irritating enough to force florists to change occupation.[27

[–] Big_Boss_77@lemmynsfw.com 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Fair enough, to be honest i didn't realize goldenrod and ragweed were different plants.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I just happened to see it when I went looking to learn more about goldenrod myself, like what the flowers look like. And I remembered your comment.

Having seen pictures of the flowers it made sense though, because big bright colorful flowers are meant to attract pollinators. It's the plant you can barely tell is flowering that's probably dumping pollen into the wind, sneaky bastards.

[–] Big_Boss_77@lemmynsfw.com 2 points 1 month ago

Lol can't see them flowering anyways... but my nose and sinuses sure let me know when they go.

[–] Fourth@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

Apparently one of the major culprits is ragweed and goldenrod gets the rap for it. Undoubtedly though goldenrod is a contributor though. Trees get me a lot worse in either case 🫠

[–] reddig33@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

What makes goldenrod great? Is it good for bees and butterflies?

[–] Fourth@mander.xyz 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Extremely s-tier, amazingly easy to maintain. They spread by rhizomes so if you plant a few in an area and a couple of years the whole thing will be full of strikingly tall plants. They're very resistant to all kinds of bullshit. They can be a really cool anchor plant for native garden sections adding a lot of height to boundaries or borders. They're pretty showy and have lots of nice yellow flowers. Lots of insects like them. Some birds will eat the seeds when the season is over. Reseeds extremely easily. Could probably use for soil retention. Many different kinds so you can find something that fits your need. Lots of reasons to like this plant.

[–] Hairyfishnuts@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Fourth@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Maybe tall, who knows!

[–] Terrapinjoe@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Fourth@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

Altissima more than likely but who knows.

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] Fourth@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)
[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 1 points 1 month ago

How convenient!