Showy Goldenrod: A Lesser-Known Native Beauty for Midwest Gardens
If you’re looking to add some late-season sunshine to your native plant garden, let me introduce you to a somewhat mysterious member of the goldenrod family: Solidago speciosa var. jejunifolia, commonly known as showy goldenrod. This particular variety is like that interesting relative you don’t see very often but always enjoy when they visit – it’s native, it’s beautiful, and it has a story worth telling.
What Makes This Goldenrod Special?
Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa var. jejunifolia) is a perennial forb that belongs to the extensive goldenrod clan. As a forb, it’s essentially a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year, making it a reliable addition to any native garden. You might also see it listed under its scientific synonyms: Solidago jejunifolia or Solidago uliginosa var. jejunifolia – botanists do love their name changes!
Where Does It Call Home?
This variety of showy goldenrod is a true Midwesterner, naturally occurring across six states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. It’s native to the lower 48 states, which means it has deep roots in American soil – literally and figuratively. If you live in this region, you’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat for a plant that already knows the neighborhood.
Should You Plant It in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – and honestly, quite intriguing. This particular variety of showy goldenrod is somewhat of an enigma in the plant world. While we know it’s native and non-invasive, specific information about its growing requirements, appearance, and garden performance is surprisingly limited compared to its more common cousins.
However, this scarcity of information doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not worth growing. In fact, it might make it even more special for native plant enthusiasts who enjoy cultivating lesser-known varieties. Since it’s a native perennial forb, it likely shares many characteristics with other goldenrods: late-season blooming, pollinator appeal, and relatively easy care.
The Mystery of Growing Conditions
Unfortunately, specific growing conditions for this variety aren’t well-documented in readily available sources. This is often the case with regional varieties that haven’t received as much horticultural attention as their more widespread relatives. If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, you might need to do some detective work or consult with local native plant societies and botanical experts in the Midwest.
What We Can Reasonably Expect
Based on its classification as a goldenrod and its native range, we can make some educated guesses about this plant:
- It’s likely hardy in USDA zones that correspond to its native range (approximately zones 3-6)
- As a forb, it probably has soft, non-woody stems
- Being a goldenrod, it likely produces yellow flowers in late summer or fall
- It probably supports pollinators like many of its goldenrod relatives
- It may prefer similar conditions to other Solidago species
The Adventure of Growing a Mystery Plant
If you decide to seek out this particular variety, you’ll be joining the ranks of native plant adventurers who appreciate the rare and unusual. Here are some tips for your quest:
- Contact native plant societies in the Midwest for sourcing information
- Connect with botanical gardens or universities in the native range
- Consider it for naturalized areas where it can express its true character
- Document your experience – you might be contributing valuable horticultural knowledge!
A Word of Caution and Encouragement
While this goldenrod variety appears to be neither invasive nor rare (as far as we know), the limited information available means you should source it responsibly. Make sure any plants you acquire are from reputable native plant nurseries and are appropriate for your specific location within its native range.
Sometimes the most rewarding gardening experiences come from growing plants that don’t have a hundred care guides written about them. If you’re the type of gardener who enjoys a bit of mystery and discovery, Solidago speciosa var. jejunifolia might just be your next favorite native plant adventure.
Just remember: every expert was once a beginner, and every well-documented plant was once a mystery waiting to be understood. Happy gardening!
