Solidago pinetorum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go pin-eh-TOHR-um
- Description
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Solidago pinetorum, or Small's Goldenrod, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower. It has a much smaller native range than other Goldenrod species. The plant is typically found in open spaces such as pine woodlands or on hillsides. Small's Goldenrod spreads by means of rhizomes. It blossoms in late summer with a showy display of up to 350 small yellow flower heads balanced atop branching stems. Small's Goldenrod is native to sandy soils and rocky sand bars in open places and dry woods in Virginia and the Carolinas.
Small's Goldenrod produces alleleopathic compounds that suppress the growth of other plants and, thus, it can become weedy. Although goldenrod is often blamed for hay fever because it is in bloom during that season, ragweed is the actual culprit.
Goldenrod does well in dry soil and sites that have been disturbed by humans. It prefers full to partial sun, and average moisture levels. This plant will tolerate some drought, in which case it will probably drop some of its lower leaves. It also tolerates a variety of soils, seeming to prefer a heavier soil with some clay content. It is extremely rhizomatous and not recommended for smaller planting areas. The root system is fibrous, producing creeping rhizomes that cause the plants to cluster, sometimes forming dense colonies.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:
During the fall, powdery mildew occasionally attacks the leaves.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- pinetorum
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Viginia to South Carolina
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attracts native bees and honey bees.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blooms July through October. Displays 50 to 350 small (1/4 inch) flowers in a pyramid-like array with proximal branches as broad as long in an elm-like shape. It has fewer ray florets (mostly 3 to 8) and disc florets (3 to 9) than other species.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Basal blades mostly linear-oblanceolate, 6 × .75 inches, nearly spatulate, margins shallowly serrate or subentire.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- One to five or more smooth, erect stems bearing short lateral branches with several spreading leaves.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought