Common Goldenrod Solidago nemoralis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Common Goldenrod:
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go NE-more-al-us
- Description
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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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- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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