Bluestem Goldenrod Solidago caesia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go KESS-ee-uh
- Description
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Bluestem Goldenrod is a Wildlflower in the Asteraceae family. It is an herbaceous perennial that grows 3 feet tall with showy clusters of yellow flowers that hug greenish-purple stems in the summer and early fall. In recent times goldenrods have been blamed for hay fever, but its irritating symptoms are actually caused by ragweed (Ambrosia species), whose pollen is airborn when goldenrod is in flower. This speices does not spread as rapidly or aggressively as some other goldenrods. It works well planted in a native garden, cottage, butterfly, or woodland garden.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Late Summer, Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Rust can be an infrequent problem.
This plant may be confused with: Any other goldenrod speices Solidago spp.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- caesia
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and eastern North America
- 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):
- Bluestem goldenrod is moderately deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from September to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Scattered clusters of tiny yellow flowers with 3-5 rays form in axils of leaves along the length of the stem with terminal clusters being the largest. Blooms from August to October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Blue to purple stem; 2-5 in. smooth, slender, stalkless, toothed, sharply pointed lance-shaped leaves with feather veins; tapers at both ends
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Wet Soil
