Fragrant Goldenrod Solidago odora
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Solidago retrorsa
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go oh-DOR-ah
- Description
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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.
- Profile Video:
- 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:
- chilensis
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used medicinally for many ailments.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North 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
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- 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)
- 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth or downy stems.
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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
