Goldenrod Solidago canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Goldenrod:
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go ca-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green to reddish straight stems with hairs up to 6 feet tall
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
