LSU Garden News: Ahchoo! If you have allergies in the fall, blame ragweed | Home & Garden

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If you suffer from seasonal allergies – sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes, and coughing – it’s likely the result of pollen from plants that bloom in the fall.

Goldenrod and ragweed flower around the same time each fall, but allergies to goldenrod are rare.

Your sniffles are probably caused by ragweed.

However, there’s a good chance you won’t even notice it blooming. The plant has small, inconspicuous green flower spikes, which are not intended to attract pollinating insects. Its divided leaves resemble ferns. Ragweed also has a lot of branches.

Ragweed relies on wind pollination, which is part of the reason it’s so aggravating. It produces large amounts of pollen, the particles of which are extremely small and light, which allows it to transport hundreds of kilometers.

To control ragweed, pull it by hand or mow it before the plants start producing pollen.

Ragweed can also be controlled with non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate, but be careful as it will kill any plant it touches. The best results will be obtained if the plants are still small. Follow the manufacturer’s label.

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On the other hand, goldenrod produces showy yellow flowers that attract pollinating insects such as bees, beetles, butterflies and wasps. Unlike ragweed, goldenrod pollen is made up of large, heavy particles that do not travel very far from the plant without the help of pollinators that carry it from flower to flower.

Goldenrod foliage is more thong-shaped with large spikes of yellow flowers on top. You can find it on roadsides and forests.

But it is starting to appear in the nursery trade, with golden flowers even more showy than wildflowers.

Some ornamental goldenrods are the ray crown, fireworks, golden baby, gold rush, little lemon, and solar waterfall. Ornamental varieties are shorter and less aggressive than most native goldenrod species, making them more adaptable in any sunny perennial garden.

Like the sunflower, the goldenrod is native to North America. Wildflowers bloom from late summer through fall. A member of the aster family, the goldenrod has more than 100 different species. Most reach heights of 3 to 4 feet and have been used with herbal remedies throughout history.

Goldenrod is an easy-care plant that tolerates a wide range of soils as long as the drainage is good. Plants grow better and offer the most flower production in full sun. Once established, they are drought tolerant and require minimal care. They come back every year, and the clumps need to be divided every five years or so.

Pair goldenrods with purple blooming asters, salvias, or mums, and you’ve got a gorgeous purple and gold fall display to make any tiger fan proud.

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