Showy Goldenrod Solidago speciosa
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go spee-see-OH-suh
- Description
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Showy Goldenrod is a herbaceous perennial that grows to 4 feet. As the common name suggests, this is one of the most showy goldenrods. It has upright stems that host foot-long rods of golden yellow flowers in the early fall. Showy goldenrod tolerates drought and clay soil well and will naturalize in a landscape. It provides great contrast to a garden in the late summer to early fall. Removing spent flower clusters encourages more bloom. Goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever, which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: 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. The plant may need to be divided every 2 years to manage size.
This plant may be confused with: Any other goldenrod speices Solidago spp.
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:
- HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- speciosa
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern United States
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, 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) canadensis, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Showy goldenrod is moderately deer resistant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Dense pyramidal or club-shaped terminal cluster of small yellow flower heads. Blooms from August to October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- 4 to 10 in. elliptical, lightly toothed leaves; upper leaves are narrow smaller and unstalked, they are attached to reddish stems
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
