Plant DetailShow Menu

Solidago pinetorum is often confused with:
Solidago Solidago
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Solidago Solidago
Solidago caesia Solidago caesia
Solidago nemoralis Solidago nemoralis

Solidago pinetorum

Phonetic Spelling
so-li-DAY-go pin-eh-TOHR-um
Description

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:
Tags:
#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennial#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fall flowers#yellow flowers#native perennial#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#pollinator plant#native wildflower#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#wavy-lined emerald butterfly#perennial#wildflower#wildlife friendly#hs303
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought