Solidago odora or Sweet Goldenrod is now in full bloom in our Perennial Border. It is a native plant with showy flowers and fragrant leaves which our pollinators are very attracted to.
Here is more information from The Missouri Botanical Garden's Website:
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained
soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates poor, dry soils and light
shade, but performs best in full sun. May be grown from seed and may
self-seed in the garden. This species is primarily clump-forming and
does not spread aggressively as do some of the other goldenrod species
and hybrids.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Sweet goldenrod is easily identified by its
anise-scented leaves. It is native to dry, sandy, open woods in the
eastern U.S. In Missouri, it typically occurs in open woods, thickets,
ravine slopes and bluff bases in the southeastern part of the state
(Steyermark). Plants typically rise to 2-4’ tall on smooth or downy
stems clad with dark green leaves (to 4” long) that are lance-shaped,
sessile, parallel-veined, untoothed and marked with translucent dots.
When bruised, its leaves smell like anise. Leaves may be used in teas.
Branched, plume-like clusters of yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom in
August-September. Flowers appear in rows on the upper sides (one-sided)
of the plume branching. Foliage of this plant has been used in the past
in herbal medicines for treatment of a variety of problems including
wounds, ulcers, urinary disorders, flatulence and as a stimulant.
Goldenrods are attractive to bees and butterflies. Goldenrods have been
wrongfully accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic
reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. This
species is also commonly called anise-scented goldenrod or fragrant
goldenrod.
