Downy Ragged Golden Rod Solidago petiolaris
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go pet-ee-OH-lair-iss
- Description
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Downy goldenrod is a native perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is found in the southeast and south-central United States and in all areas of North Carolina. The genus name comes from the Latin term solidus, meaning “to make whole”and referring to the use of goldenrod by native Americans for medicinal purposes. The specific epithet refers to the presence of petioles.
Plant it in slightly acidic, moist to dry soils with good drainage and in sun to partial sun. It can grow 1 to 4 feet in height and may need to be staked. Propagation is accomplished with seeds.
It has striking yellow flowers in clusters that attract a variety of pollinators and beneficial insects. It blooms earlier than most other goldenrods, in late summer to fall when nectar plants can be in short supply.
Use downy goldenrod in a native, butterfly or pollinator garden and in woodland, meadow and other naturalized areas.
This is one of the 20 key pollinator plants that should be blooming in August for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census 2025.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- petiolaris
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mid to southern U.S.A., Mexico
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CO , FL , GA , IL , KS , LA , MO , NC , NE , NM , OK , SC , TX
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers attract bees, wasps and 112 species of butterflies and moths.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
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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
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Bullet-shaped achenes with small tufts of hair distributed by the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Yellow flowers bloom in a cylindrical panicle 4-10 inches long. Individual flowers have 5-10 ray florets that surround a dense head of 8-20 disk florets. Blooms from August to October.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green to yellow-green leaves are alternate and 1-4" long and ¼–1" across. Shape is elliptic to broadly elliptic, or lanceolate-elliptic. The margins are entire to slightly toothed toward their tips. The upper surface has minute stiff hairs giving it a rough feel. The under surface is lighter in color with hairs along the veins. Leaves are stemless or have very short stems. Abundant leaves are produced and become smaller as they ascend the stems.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are green to reddish-green, terete and sparsely to moderately short-pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
