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Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis

Other plants called Canada Goldenrod:

Description

Canada Goldenrod is a native perennial plant in the daisy family that is found in much of Canada and the USA except for the southernmost SE states. Due to its wide distribution, there are several varieties causing variation in the size, leaf and flower description. It has branching pyramid-shaped cascading clusters of small yellow flowers that appear in late summer into fall.  It is not related to ragweed that causes allergy symptoms. Goldenrods spread by seed and rhizomes and are considered weedy by some.

Use this plant in naturalized areas or meadows, in pollinator gardens and native gardens. It prefers a soil with some clay and moist but not wet conditions in full sun. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.

Problems: rust (Coleosporium asterum), powdery mildew, and leaf spot. Insect pests include aphids, beetles, and gall-forming insects.    

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - West Meadow and Woods
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#fall flowers#yellow flowers#nectar plant#NC native#herbaceous perennial#Monarch butterfly#pollinator plant#naturalized area#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#weed#wildlife friendly#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#arching#fall flowers#yellow flowers#nectar plant#NC native#herbaceous perennial#Monarch butterfly#pollinator plant#naturalized area#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#weed#wildlife friendly#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solidago
    Species:
    canadensis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    It has been used in folk medicine and has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used to treat wounds, allergies, TB, arthritis, asthma, hypertension and as a diuretic.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. The pollen and nectar are attractive to many pollinators including monarch butterflies. The flowers and leaves are eaten by deer and birds will eat the seeds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    This brown seed is oblong-shaped with white hair attached to the tip to allow dispersal by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Branching clusters of yellow flower heads at the top of the plant. Pyramidal clusters of flowers are broadly spreading and cascading, with 100 to 1300+ flowers in the cluster. Flowers are about 1/8 inch across with usually 8 to 15 petals (ray flowers) surrounding a central disc with usually 3 to 6 disc flowers. Commercially, can be used as a filler flower in floral arrangements. In the garden, it blooms in late summer to fall when other summer flowers are done blooming. Blooms from August to October.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4-6 inches long and 1 inch wide green leaves are lanceolate to broadly linear, alternate leaves and tapered with spaced sharp teeth. The surface is smooth with possible hairs on veins underneath.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Green to reddish straight stems with hairs up to 6 feet tall
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators