Golden Rod Solidago
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-li-DAY-go
- Description
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Solidago, or Goldenrod, is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the aster family with up to 120 species and numerous cultivars. Goldenrod is easy to grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. It is a very forgiving plant and tolerates poor, dry soils, clay, and drought. It displays small, bright yellow flowers in dense clusters on top of tall stems from July through September and additional blooming is encouraged if you deadhead spent flower clusters. The plant naturalizes quickly in the garden and it may be advisable to divide it every two or three years to control spread.
Goldenrod is sometimes confused with ragweed and wrongly accused of bearing the wind-borne ragweed pollen that causes allergies and hay fever.
Goldenrod hybrids and cultivars are very popular perennials in Europe, and becoming so here and their color and form combine well with blue wood asters (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) and hardy ageratum (Coloclinium coelestinum).
Propagation is accomplished with wind-driven seeds or by division of underground rhizomes. Some species produce abundant nectar when moisture is plentiful, or when the weather is warm and thus attract bees and butterflies. It is also deer resistant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious insect or disease problems; however, rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spot may occur.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Bee Hive Garden, Wake Co
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Fireworks'
- 'Fireworks'
- 'Fireworks'
- Tags:










- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fireworks'
- 'Fireworks'
- 'Fireworks'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America and Mexico
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Attracts butterflies. The genus Solidago supports the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) braccata, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- deer resistant
- Edibility:
- Leaves are edible early in growing season.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blooms July through October with tiny, bright yellow flowers in dense, erect, club-shaped terminal clusters.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- In the upper half of the plant, there are often small leaves that develop from the upper axils of the primary leaves; they have a wing-like appearance. In some species, the basal leaves are shed before flowering.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Stiff, narrow-leaved, stems typically growing 2-3' tall supporting terminal flower clusters.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought