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Solidago chilensis is often confused with:
Solidago Solidago
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Monarda didyma Flowers
Solidago caesia Solidago caesia
Solidago sempervirens Form

Anise-scented Goldenrod Solidago chilensis

Previously known as:

  • Solidago odora
Phonetic Spelling
so-li-DAY-go chill-EN-sis
Description

Sweet goldenrod is a low maintenance herbaceous perennial wildflower. Growing 1-2 feet tall, it has gracefully arching stems of yellow flowers that erupt from basal clumps in the late summer and early fall. It is primarily clump-forming and does not spread aggressively as do some of the other goldenrod species and hybrids. 

This plant naturalizes well, is drought resistant and tolerates clay soil. It is also more tolerant of shadier condituons than other goldenrods. It would grow well along a border or in a butterfly, cottage, or herb garden. It is often accused of causing hay fever because it blooms at the same time as some wind-borne pollen plants (like ragweed). 

 

Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom: Late summer, August-September, fall;  Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall

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:
#fragrant#showy flowers#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#summer flowers#deer resistant#wind dispersed seeds#border planting#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#larval host plant#food source fall#flowers late summer#FACU#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#herb garden#tea#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant#showy flowers#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#specialized bees#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#summer flowers#deer resistant#wind dispersed seeds#border planting#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#larval host plant#food source fall#flowers late summer#FACU#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#clay soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#herb garden#tea#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solidago
    Species:
    chilensis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used medicinally for many ailments.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America.
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attractive to 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) canadensis, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis. Songbirds eat the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    It is moderately deer resistant.
    Edibility:
    Leaves may be used in teas
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    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, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Brown, hairy tufts, cone-shape wind-dispersed. Displays from August to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Yellow flowers bloom from July to October. Flowers appear in branched plume-like clusters that look pyramidal.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Fragrant leaves smell like anise. Dark green leaves up to 4" long. They are lance-shaped, sessile, parallel-veined, untoothed and marked with translucent dots.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth or downy stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought