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Solidago nemoralis

Phonetic Spelling
so-li-DAY-go NE-more-al-us
Description

Solidago nemoralis, or Common Goldenrod, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae family. It tolerates drought and dry rocky or sandy soils but prefers dry to medium, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun. The plants generally grow taller and more vigorously in rich soils. It tolerates light shade, but does not do well in full shade; however, it will often grow where many other plants cannot. It is a hardy plant sometimes found in old fields, pastures, waste places, and roadsides. The plant displays a mass of yellow flowers from late summer through the fall and individual plants bloom at various times, thus extending the flowering season.

It is probably not the best choice for a managed garden but rather belongs in a meadow or cottage garden where it can naturalize. This is a rhizomatous, spreading, somewhat weedy plant that can colonize an area by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding. It is not considered invasive in the U.S.; however, removing the flower heads before they ripen to seed will help prevent seed dispersal. Another member of the Goldenrod genus without the same set of problems is Solidago odora.

Seed germination for propagation may be increased with stratification, but this pre-treatment is not absolutely necessary. If planting untreated seed, be sure it is fresh. You can also propagate by division of mature plants, but make sure each section has a bud and a root.

Goldenrod species have sometimes been blamed for hay fever, but the irritating symptoms are actually caused by ragweed (Ambrosia species) pollen, which is airborne when goldenrod is in flower.  This plant is deer resistant. 

Because the Solidago genus includes about 120 species with similar traits, this particular plant, which is one of the smallest of the genus, may get confused with some of its other cousins.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Beetles, aphids and gall-forming insects may feed on plants.  Can be susceptible to rust, anthracnose, powdery mildew and leaf spot.

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Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennials#honey bees#nectar plant#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennials#honey bees#nectar plant#specialized bees#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#wildflower garden#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#rocky soils tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solidago
    Species:
    nemoralis
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada and United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Common Goldenrod flowers attract butterflies, native bees, honey 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) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.  Songbirds eat the seeds.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer and drought resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms from late summer through fall (August through November). Slender, one-sided plumes of small yellow flowers with 5-9 petals. Narrow, often downward-arching, one-sided, bright yellow flower plumes (panicles to 4-10” long), with the flowerheads (each to 1/4” across”) primarily located on the upper side of each panicle. Has a tendency to nod in the breeze. Flowerheads are replaced after bloom by hairy achenes.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Stems are clad with alternate, narrow lanceolate to oblanceolate, gray green leaves (to 4” long and 3/4” wide) with fine hairy surfaces. Larger lower leaves have winged petioles and toothed margins. Smaller upper leaves lack winged petioles and toothed margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Clump of 1-6 unbranched gray-green stems densely covered with short white hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil