Seaside goldenrod is salt tolerant pollinator
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) is an herbaceous, perennial flower that is found throughout most of Florida’s coastal panhandle and peninsular counties. It is a member of the Asteraceae or aster family. It is an adaptable plant that can grow in various habitats, including dunes, coastal forests and marshes and along the edges of estuaries and bays. It is salt tolerant and can handle salt spray and periods of saltwater inundation once established. Seaside goldenrod prefers full sun and moist, well-draining sandy soils. It primarily flowers in the late summer throughout the fall, but can still flower in the winter, with bright yellow tubular blooms. The wildflower can grow 4-8 feet high when in bloom, but flower stalks can be pruned back if desired. Seaside goldenrod is often blamed for causing seasonal allergies, however, the culprit is usually common ragweed, which blooms around the same time. It can spread quickly by seed and rhizome, and if left to spread, can form dense colonies. The flowers provide nectar for many pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It also benefits birds, which are attracted to the insects feeding on plant. In areas with migratory monarch populations, seaside goldenrod is an excellent wildflower for supporting migratory monarchs on their journey to warmer climates.
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