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Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)

Showy Goldenrod, Noble Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa, Showy Goldenrod, Noble Goldenrod, Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, Yellow flowers

One of the showiest goldenrods, Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod) is a rhizomatous perennial forming an upright clump of stiff, narrow-leaved, reddish stems. Blooming for about a month from late summer to fall, they bear dense, pyramidal, terminal clusters, up to 12 in. long (30 cm), packed with tiny, bright yellow flowers. The blossoms occasionally have a mild fragrance. The flowering stems do not curve outward and downward like most other goldenrods but are held erect or curve upward. Attractive to bees, beetles, birds, and butterflies, Showy Goldenrod provides a bold splash of color in the late-season garden. Easy to grow, low care, and trouble-free, this goldenrod species spread at a moderate rate from underground rhizomes. It is a good choice for a wildflower meadow or cottage garden.

  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm). Will spread by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding but is not considered to be invasive.
  • Performs best in full sun or light shade in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. It is not fussy about soils and tolerates dry soils, poor soils, rocky soils, and clay soils. Drought tolerant once established.
  • This very showy goldenrod can become aggressive in moist soils.
  • A beautiful plant for beds and borders, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, or wildflower meadows.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
  • Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom.
  • Divide every 2 to 3 years to control growth.
  • Propagate by seed or by division.
  • Native to the central and eastern United States.
  • Explore 50 stunning wildflowers to enrich your fall garden.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Solidago
Common names Showy Goldenrod, Goldenrod
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Solidago (Goldenrod)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Solidago bicolor (White Goldenrod)
Solidago gigantea (Early Goldenrod)
Solidago altissima (Tall Goldenrod)
Euthamia occidentalis (Western Goldentop)
Solidago canadensis (Canada Goldenrod)
Euthamia graminifolia (Grass-Leaved Goldenrod)

Recommended Companion Plants

Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
Liatris aspera (Rough Blazing Star)
Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem)
Symphyotrichum laeve (Smooth Aster)
Amorpha canescens (Lead Plant)
Eryngium yuccifolium (Rattlesnake Master)
Baptisia australis (False Indigo)
Aster ericoides (Heath Aster)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Solidago (Goldenrod)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Solidago
Common names Showy Goldenrod, Goldenrod
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Solidago (Goldenrod)
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