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Garden mum and Showy goldenrod: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Garden mum Chrysanthemum × morifolium	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Showy goldenrod Solidago speciosa
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Native range
Garden hybrid of Chinese species	N. Central & E. U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun	Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
1–3 ft	2–7 ft
Mature spread
1–2 ft	2–3 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	3–8
Season of interest
Fall	Summer–Fall
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers can attract butterflies.	Native flowers feed late-season pollinators, and seedheads feed songbirds.
Growing notes
Forms a flowering mound. Cultivars vary widely in flower shape, color, and winter survival.	Use a sunny, drained border or meadow; divide when clumps outgrow their space.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.