Goldenrod

Sun. An herbaceous perennial with an erect or decumbent branching form and dazzling flowerheads, especially in late summer and autumn. Goldenrod attracts butterflies, wasps, and birds, and makes an attractive ornamental. Give it some room, and expect it to spread; the volunteers are easy enough to weed out, but do it early in the year before they reach full size.

For many years goldenrod was passed over in the garden because the pollen was believed to cause hay fever. It was adopted as in European gardens long before it found acceptance in North America.