Who Is Guilty As Charged, Ragweed or Goldenrod?

Someone is getting a bum rap!

Side by side blooming every year at the same time in early fall, Ragweed and Goldenrod in harmony, like clockwork. Every year my allergies rage full of sneezy glee, with one of them up my nose. Every year, one of these plants gets an unfair and unmerciful bad reputation by mere guilt by association. (Just goes to show that ‘try not to hang around with disreputable peeps’ is good advice from your mamma). Wow your friends with your allergy knowledge when someone complains about the Goldenrod you can say:

'The pollen from the Goldenrod is very heavy and sticky and can't be moved by a breeze like the ragweed pollen. It is designed to 'stick' to pollinator insect. Unless you rub your nose in the goldenrod- it is too 'big' or 'heavy' to get in your nasal passages.'

So enjoy the beauty of the bright yellow Goldenrod, keeping your nose out of it (more good mamma advice). There is even a dwarf variety that you can incorporate into your landscape for some beautiful fall color. Just avoid that raggy looking mess of a Ragweed and enjoy your fall. Happy Planting!