Goldenrod, Golden Rod
Solidago, commonly known as goldenrod, is a vibrant and versatile perennial plant with clusters of small yellow flowers that brighten up gardens and attract pollinators.
Solidago, commonly known as Goldenrod, is a diverse genus of flowering plants in the Aster family, Asteraceae.
Native: Solidago species are native to North and South America, with a few species in Eurasia.
Habit and Size: Solidago has an upright growth habit, typically reaching heights of 1 to 5 feet (30 to 150 cm), depending on the variety. It forms clumps of foliage with long stems that bear dense clusters of small, yellow flowers. The plant has a bushy appearance and spreads through underground rhizomes.
Flowers: The golden-yellow flowers are small but dense, forming showy, erect, or arching plumes or panicles.
Foliage: Leaves are usually lanceolate (long and thin), with some variation depending on the species. They are usually alternately arranged along the stem.
Blooming Season: Solidago species typically bloom from mid to late summer into fall, often until the first frost.
Hardiness: The hardiness also varies with species, but most are hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
Uses: Goldenrods are often used in perennial borders, meadows, native plant gardens, or naturalized areas. They’re also valued for their late-season pollen source by beekeepers.
Pollinators: Solidago species are incredibly attractive to a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Toxicity: Goldenrods are generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals, but as with any plant, ingestion in large quantities could cause a negative reaction.
Invasiveness: Some Solidago species, especially Solidago canadensis or Solidago gigantea, are considered invasive in certain areas due to their aggressive spreading habit.
Key Facts: Despite the common belief, goldenrods are not responsible for hay fever; their pollen is too heavy to be wind-borne. The real culprit is usually ragweed, which blooms at the same time but has inconspicuous flowers.
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Genus | Solidago |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Cut Flowers |
Native Plants | United States, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, California, Southwest, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Genus | Solidago |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
Spread | 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Cut Flowers |
Native Plants | United States, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, California, Southwest, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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