Two, new-to-my-garden native plants popped up this season, whether gifts from wind or wildlife, I won’t hazard a guess, but I’m pleased nonetheless. I was excited when I spotted the resplendent blooms of a Goldenrod, Solidago gigantea.
I then recognized its frothy neighbor, a Poverty Weed, Baccharis neglecta.
The plants actually belong to my neighbor and sister-in-law, as they’ve grown up at the base of the remains of her large Arizona Ash, which is now mostly bark, but full of life with insects and perching birds. I had no idea these two were plotting to play a role in the ensemble of the garden because they’ve been situated between my SIL’s tree and a group of my plants, including a large Plateau Goldeneye, Viguiera dentata, some Turk’s Cap, Malvaviscus arboreus, and a Mexican Orchid tree, Bauhinia mexicana, and so weren’t noticed until each grew tall enough and flowered bodaciously enough to demand attention.
Both plants’ blooms are providing plenty for pollinators; mostly I’ve seen bees.
In this photo, just north of the smeary honeybee, you can see a tiny, dark native bee. To the right of that bee, is another native, either bee or beetle, I’m not quite sure.
The Poverty Weed’s mass of snowy blooms reaches over a cluster of Goldeneye flowers; bees zip between the two plants.
Photos of the small flowers have been tricky, due to wind, rain, and photographer limitations, but in this photo, there are several tiny black insects–all native bees.
This honeybee is a giant compared to the little natives nectaring, but both species are enjoying the bounty.
I’m always tickled when new plants make their home in my garden and I appreciate observing and learning about them. I will need to cull any seedlings that these two produce (and there will be some…or plenty), but I welcome these native pollinator plants full of charm and beauty and appreciate their contribution to the diversity of my garden.
My Gardener Says... 
The pretty poverty weed looks like it will yield a lot of seed! Is it an annual?
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It’s basically a small tree, deciduous, but not annual. Yes, it’s going to be something I have to keep in check, because I have room for one–and only one!
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Happy two new for you, and in two colors. You must be thrilled with the little army of insects they attract.
Your reference to Solidago gigantea sent me looking at botanist Bill Carr’s Travis County plant list, where he says the species is “similar in appearance and habitat to Solidago altissima.” I don’t know how to tell the two apart. Do you have any easy way(s) to differentiate?
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Indeed, happy new two! I love that saying.
The only way I can tell that it’s likely S. gigantea is that the leaves have teeth, rather than being smooth along the margins. The height of both are similar, though the Canada can be shorter. It’s certainly possible that I’m not correct in my identification, as photos always concentrate on the blooms (which are very similar) and it can be difficult to get a good look at the leaf structure.
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I bought a ‘cultivated’ Goldenrod for the garden this summer but was rather disappointed with the blooms and that it didn’t attract pollinators! I did dead head to stop seed spread. Hopefully next year it will be better.
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I’m probably going to do the same, now that I know it’s there. I like plants that are shorter and bushier. We’ve had buckets of rain this week and the goldenrod is bent over. If it was shorter and bushier heavy rain wouldn’t have the impact. I might not be able to see it (it still would be behind taller plants), but the pollinators would find it. I would simply have to remember to prune before it goes to seed.
Good luck with yours next year!
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These are some of my autumn favorites. One of my current puzzlements is how to tell the difference between Baccharis neglecta and B. halimifolia, or eastern baccharis. Location’s one key, since your version is mostly west of here, and the eastern version’s fairly well limited to eastern portions of the state, but wouldn’t you know: both species are listed for Brazoria county! Both are lovely when that fluffiness takes over, of course — although that fluff can be the bane of a varnisher when it starts to fly on the wind!
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Yeah, I think it’s gonna get a haircut late this next week, because I really don’t want this going to seed. I have enough to contend with when goldeneye, rock rose, blue curls, etc., procreate and fill the garden!
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I’m glad you mentioned the Blue Curls – I think you’ve mentioned it before, but I’d forgotten, and it is such a happy plant. The Poverty Weed is in fields everywhere down to the Gulf Coast now, happy to know its name!
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And I’m now seeing Blue Curl babies coming up!!
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I had a goldenrod plant itself in one of beds, actually the the one I call Hill Country. When I volunteered at a botanical garden, one of the gardeners took to pruning the goldenrod early to make it shorter and bushier.
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I think that’s a good idea and I plan to do that next year.
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What lovely invaders into your garden, Tina. I have been thinking about growing goldenrod for a while, as it’s such a great nectar source for pollinators and because I find the blossoms very attractive. Maybe I will try to sow some seeds in the springs.
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It’s a great plant, just be aware that it’s also a serious seed spreader!
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Thank you, I will keep that in mind.
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I’m not sure many people intentionally want baccharis! I love it, though, all species are really great for pollinators.
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Lol–you’re not wrong! I need to get out there this week and prune back the blooms before they set seed. One poverty weed is enough!
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