Solidago flexicaulis, Zig Zag Goldenrod
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| Zig Zag Aster, in bloom |
Many don't think of Goldenrod when they think of shady woodlands, yet Zig Zag Goldenrod is one of the great plants of our deciduous forest. It offers yellow flowers in late summer and early autumn, has attractive leaves all season, and can grow in the shade with dry soils under many woodland trees. Zig Zag isn't like the sunny field varieties, such as Canada or Tall Goldenrod. Instead, it rarely grow taller than 28 inches, and usually much shorter, isn't an aggressive spreader (although like all plants, it will spread), and again —grows in dry shade. If you have woodlands or savanna conditions, this is a species worth planting along with Downy Yellow Violet, Virginia Wetleaf, Hepatica, Bloodroot, Woodland Geranium, Pennsylvania Sedge, Common Wood Sedge, Hairy Wood Sedge, Columbine, False Solomon's Seal, Bigleaf Aster, Red Baneberry and many more.
Blooms: yellow, August into September
Height: 16 to 28 inches
Conditions: part shade to shade, upland medium to medium dry soil
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| Attractive leaves and good form; above, just before bloom. |
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| Zig Zag Aster patch at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. |
