It's that time of year again.  That time when those who suffer from nasal allergies start to turn to tissues and Claritan to get themselves through the day.  Then of course the afflicted need someone to blame and they inevitably pick this poor beautiful wildflower, goldenrod. Goldenrod, or solidago, is a beautiful yellow-gold staple from the fall fields. It grows wild and spreads itself around turning vacant lots into fields of gold. There are even cultivated varieties in smaller sizes that will fit perfectly into your garden.  But why would you want this in your garden if it causes allergies? Well, the short answer is it doesn't! Goldenrod is pollinated by insects and not the wind. Allergies are caused by the wind so unless the wind blows a bug up your nose you aren't getting pollen from goldenrod! 

Who then, is the culprit?  What is the identity of the noxious weed that persistently requires you keep your hanky handy?  Ragweed.  Ragweed blooms at the same time as goldenrod but has one notable difference - it relies on the wind for pollination. It's clever in a way, ragweed lets the beautiful golden colored wildflower take the rap while it hides nondescriptly in the brush. Devious!

Ragweed spreads easily and can be very annoying in the garden but is an easy weed to remove by hand.  Unfortunately you can eradicate it from every spot in your garden and still suffer the allergies cause by plants in roadsides and fields.

So the next time you sneeze while enjoying fall fields colored in gold remember: don't blame the goldenrod!