Tall plants with yellow buds

Hi there

We've bought our first house from a lovely elderly couple who have left us with a fantastic garden. We're learning as we go as we are new to gardening but loving it.

We've been able to identify most plants but the one we can't get is a very fast growing clump of tall plants. We're sorely tempted to pull them out (they pull up easily and don't have bulbs) as we think they are weeds and they are taking over, but are loath to as in case we are wrong.

They are about 3-5ft tall, have long thin leaves (slight ridges along edges) and starting to get clusters of small yellow buds(hopefully pics below work).

After weeks of trawling Google and asking people we are about to pull them up - but one last try! Can anyone please help by identifying these?

Many thanks.
(Apologies our first post is a question! At some point we may be able to help others)
Steven

 

Hello and welcome to GC.

I think they might be Goldenrod. If that's it, it can get out of control but I don't see it as a problem. Just cut the flowers off when they look shabby before they run to seed, and dig up any that spread outside of their designated area.

 

Agree. Solidago sp. Common name Golden rod.

 

Brilliant, thank you very much both. Have just looked up images and info using the name and I think you are right.

The couple have been so clever planting colours to come up seasonally and I have read these are also good for beneficial insects, so I'll take your advice and leave a good section, but take out those spreading too far. Glad I didn't just pull up.

Good tip too, on cutting before run to seed - noted.
Thanks again!

 

Very attractive to bluebottles for some reason and host to eelworms which then can destroy any Phlox nearby.