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Autumn Goldenrod Solidago sphacelata

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Brachychaeta sphacelata
Phonetic Spelling
so-li-DAY-go spass-el-LAH-tuh
Description

Autumn goldenrod is a native herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is commonly found in dry rocky open forests and rocky places.  It is frequently found in locations where the soil contains calcium carbonate, which makes the soil chalky. 

This plant grows 1-3 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade. It tolerates average to poor and rocky well-drained soil.  Autumn goldenrod spreads by rhizomes and wind-blown seeds.  Deadheading after flowering will help control the spread of its seeds.  To encourage more blooms, remove the spent clusters of flowers.  It is quite drought tolerant and deer-resistant.

The many bright yellow flowers bloom on one side of the branch and appear in the fall. The basal leaves are large with stem leaves being smaller. The seeds that follow are carried by the wind. Blooming the same time of year as ragweed, goldenrod is erroneously thought to cause allergies.    

This plant can be difficult to find but the cultivar 'Golden Fleece' is readily available. Use in the native/pollinator garden, in the border, in naturalized sites, on slopes or in rock gardens. Pollinators will visit the flowers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Powdery mildew, leaf spot and leaf rust may be issues affecting this plant.  Aphids, beetles are minor problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Golden Fleece'
    Compact variety to 1.5 ft tall
'Golden Fleece'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#low growing#native perennial#erosion control#herbaceous#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#rhizomatous#self-seeding#cutting garden#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#shallow soil tolerant#colonizing#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#butterfly caterpillar host#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Golden Fleece'
    Compact variety to 1.5 ft tall
'Golden Fleece'
Tags:
#drought tolerant#low growing#native perennial#erosion control#herbaceous#NC native#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#rhizomatous#self-seeding#cutting garden#pollinator plant#dried arrangements#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#shallow soil tolerant#colonizing#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#butterfly caterpillar host#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solidago
    Species:
    sphacelata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , GA , IL , IN , KY , MS , NC , OH , TN , VA , WV
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attracts butterflies and birds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Colorful
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The achene has short bristle-like pappus to help with wind dispersal. Displays from September to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms from July to October with many small flowers clustered along the stems. The flower heads are arranged in panicles with 3-6 yellow ray flowers and 3-6 yellow disc flowers per head.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Cordate basal rosette of leaves on a long and winged petiole. Stem leaves are smaller and ovate to lanceolate
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-branched stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Problems:
    Weedy