Goldenrod vs. Ragweed

My friend Mandi became frustrated with the situation at her daughter’s school.  A few years ago, the school decided to carve out a corner of the school playground area to make room for a native pollinator garden.  They removed the grass, improved the soil, and planted a selection of wildflowers.

Already in year one, the garden attracted a few birds, bees and butterflies.  Within a few years, the pollinator garden became a forgotten mix of native wildflowers, grasses and non-native weeds. 

“I had to keep my daughter Izzy home from school for several September days”, complained Mandi.  “The Goldenrod is making her sneeze to no end.  I just wish they would clean up that garden and turn it into grass again.”

Mandi is both right and wrong.  Goldenrod, a native plant growing about up to one metre high does not cause an allergic reaction for children playing nearby.  Goldenrod is prolific, particularly this year with such abundant rainfall.  It blooms from mid-August to early October, and since its flowers are so bright and bold, is often blamed for sneezing attacks. 

Ragweed blooms the same time as Goldenrod but its flowers are greyish yellow and hardly noticed.  The plant grows a metre or more in height and releases its dusty pollen into the wind. 

Ragweed is also a native plant, and like Goldenrod, readily grows along roadways, in farmer’s fields, and wherever it is hot and sunny.  Ragweed produces pollen-laden non-descript flowers from late summer to fall.  Seeds are favoured by birds and small mammals. 

Ragweed and Goldenrod often grow together, which is reason why Goldenrod is often blamed for allergic reactions.  In spring and summer, prior to their blooming times, they are often mistaken for each other.

Goldenrod has a single stem, with 3 to 4 inch leaves coming from the main stem, similar to Asiatic Lilies.  Showy yellow flowers are borne on the top of the plant.  Ragweed has fine textured leaves that resemble carrot leaves, but heavier.  Ragweed is somewhat tree-like in shape, with blooms coming from all points in the plant. 

Ragweed also differs from Goldenrod in that the former is an annual, while Goldenrod is a perennial.  Ragweed plants will die with the first good frost, but seeds will invariably sprout the following spring.  Goldenrod stems will also die off in the fall, but the roots will sprout new stems in spring. 

Ragweed, in spite of its positive characteristics, is considered invasive and farmers consider it a nuisance.  Ragweed pollen can be carried for miles, and seeds can spread anywhere and everywhere.  Fortunately, like most annual plants, Ragweed roots are feeble and the plant can easily be uprooted.

Next time you see Ragweed, go ahead and pull it out.  Leave the Goldenrod and allow it to decorate the roadways and satisfy the birds and bees.