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Solidago speciosa is often confused with:
Solidago Solidago
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Solidago Solidago
Solidago rugosa flowers
Solidago uliginosa Solidago uliginosa

Showy Goldenrod Solidago speciosa

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
so-li-DAY-go spee-see-OH-suh
Description

Showy Goldenrod is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 4 feet. As the common name suggests, this is one of the most showy goldenrods. It has upright stems that host foot-long rods of golden yellow flowers in the early fall. Showy goldenrod tolerates drought and clay soil well and will naturalize in a landscape.  It provides great contrast to a garden in the late summer to early fall. Removing spent flower clusters encourages more bloom. Goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever, which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. 

Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 

Seasons of Interest:

     Bloom: Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease problems. Rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spot may occur.  The plant may need to be divided every 2 years to manage size.

This plant may be confused with: Any other goldenrod speices Solidago spp.

VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennial#honey bees#nectar plant#native bees#fall interest#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennial#honey bees#nectar plant#native bees#fall interest#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solidago
    Species:
    speciosa
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds.  Members of the genus Solidago support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) braccata, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) canadensis, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Showy goldenrod is moderately deer resistant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Dense pyramidal or club-shaped terminal cluster of small yellow flower heads. Blooms from August to October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    4 to 10 in. elliptical, lightly toothed leaves; upper leaves are narrow smaller and unstalked, they are attached to reddish stems
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought