Hello Reader,

Plants teach us about the passage of time.

The little ephemerals—bloodroot and crocus—herald the promise of the returning sun. St. John’s Wort bursts into sunny yellow bloom, announcing that summer has arrived. Then come wild carrot, chicory, thyme, and all the other familiar companions of the summer garden and meadow.

And then, almost when you think the growing season is winding down, goldenrod appears.

While many plants are fading, their leaves curling crisply upward toward their seed heads forming, goldenrod is just getting started. Its tall sprays of silver-green buds suddenly explode into a million golden sparks.

Fireworks at the end of summer.

Goldenrod reminds us that beauty doesn't belong only to the height of summer. There is still growing to do. Still blooming. Still something to offer.

That’s why we’ve chosen Goldenrod as the Herbal Ambassador for this year’s BotanicWise Women’s Herbal Gathering.

And what a wonderful teacher she is.

Goldenrod has long been valued as an herbal ally for the urinary system, traditionally used to encourage healthy urine flow and support the kidneys and bladder.

Its aromatic golden flowers have also been used traditionally to soothe seasonal respiratory complaints—including the very sneezing and irritation that often arrive just as goldenrod is putting on her spectacular show.

And despite her reputation, goldenrod isn't usually the culprit behind late-summer hay fever—ragweed, which blooms around the same time, is a much more common source of airborne pollen.

Perhaps that's another lesson from this generous plant: don't be too quick to blame the one who is simply standing there shining. 😉

Goldenrod is also an important late-season source of nectar for bees and other pollinators, offering nourishment when many other flowers have finished blooming.

She arrives as the landscape begins to change, reminding us that every season has its gifts.

And isn't that what we're celebrating at the Gathering?

Girls just wanna grow. 🌱

We grow through seasons of learning and seasons of rest. We grow through friendship, curiosity, creativity, challenges, laughter, and shared wisdom. We grow older, wiser, deeper—and hopefully, like goldenrod, we discover that there are still new ways to shine.

Come gather with us.

Learn from remarkable herbalists, artists, healers, culture keepers, and plant people.

Make things with your hands.
Meet old friends and new ones.
Wander through the Vendor Emporium.
Sit beneath the open sky.
And listen to the plants.

🌼 Goldenrod says: Keep growing. Keep shining.

🌿 BotanicWise Women’s Herbal Gathering
September 18–20, 2026
Kempton Community Center • Kempton, Pennsylvania

Girls just wanna grow. And apparently, so does goldenrod. 💛

👉 Get your tickets today!​

Yours in Health,

Charis Lindrooth

BotanicWise

P.S. We need Work-Study helpers! Fill out our application HERE.

P.P.S. All meal tickets must be purchased BY SUNDAY, September 10, so our caterer can count her chickens before they hatch!

Questions about the event? Read our Frequently Asked Questions ​HERE​.

Sponsors are needed for the BotanicWise Women’s Scholarship Program! Learn about sponsorship benefits ​HERE​.

Our gratitude to our current sponsors:

• ​Woodland Essence​
• ​Heartstone Center for Earth Essentials​
• ​Kimberton Whole Foods​
• ​​Pure Indian Foods ​
• ​Bluestem Botanicals​
• ​Herbalist & Alchemist​
• ​Mountain Rose Herbs​
• ​Robin Rose Bennett – Wild Wise Woman Healing Ways​
• ​The Science & Art of Herbalism

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