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Goldenrod Solidago sempervirens

Phonetic Spelling
so-li-DAY-go sem-per-VY-renz
Description

Seaside Goldenrod, is an herbaceous perennial wildflower often found on beaches, dunes, salt marshes, and pinelands. This plant is highly salt tolerant and deer resistant. The plant produces basal leaves topped by 2 to 8 foot stalks. The terminal or upper axillary flowering heads are dense, the lowest branches somewhat recurved. Arching branches bear one-sided clusters of large, bright yellow flower heads. Pinch the growing tips in June for a more compact plant. This goldenrod does not spread by rhizomes or become invasive.

Goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from ragweed. The Goldenrod genus contains about 120 species, most with similar characteristics. The Seaside Goldenrod may get confused with one of its cousins. This plant is deer resistant.

This plant can be used in the back of the border in poor sandy soils. Do not fertilize this goldenrod.

Habitat: Coastal dunes, dune slacks, maritime wet grasslands, tidal marshes

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease problems. Rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spot may occur.

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


 

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennial#honey bees#nectar plant#salt tolerant#pond margins#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#marshes#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#coastal plant#perennial#stormwater garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennial#honey bees#nectar plant#salt tolerant#pond margins#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#marshes#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#coastal plant#perennial#stormwater garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solidago
    Species:
    sempervirens
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada, United States, and Caribbean
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Seaside Goldenrod attracts bees and butterflies. Members of the genus Solidago support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) braccata, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    salt tolerant and deer resistant
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Oval achenes with tufts of hair. Displays from September to December.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Bright yellow ray and disc flowers on club-shaped panicle, often leafy at the base. Flower heads often borne on one side of arching floral branches. 7 to 10 petals. Blooms from August to November.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Upper leaves are 2 to 8 inches long, .5 inches wide, lanceolate and sessile. Basal leaves are narrowly ovate to oblanceolate tapering to a winged petiole. Up to 22 inches long and 1.5 to 2.5 inches wide. They are thick and fleshy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Leafy, erect or arching. Rise up to 8 feet from the basel mound.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Salt
    Wet Soil