As the name suggests, showy goldenrod has showy yellow flowering plumes that can reach up to 12 inches long. It blooms later than most other goldenrod species. It has a fibrous, rhizomatous root system, which forms large clumps. It also spreads by self seeding, and is not recommended for small areas; it is better suited for large areas, fields, and roadsides. Goldenrods are an important late-season food source for pollinators and support hundreds of insect species during the entire growing season.