Goldenrod

Location

Butterfly Garden

  • Common Name: Goldenrod, Pine barren goldenrod
  • Scientific Name: Solidago fistulosa
  • Family Name: Asteraceae
  • Origin: Coastal Areas of Eastern North America​​
  • Height: 3 to 4 ft
  • Width: Variable
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Zone: USDA Zones 5a to 11
  • Light needs: Full sun
  • Salt tolerance: Low
  • Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers a moist, well-drained sandy soil with a circumneutral pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
  • Moisture: Moderate water needs, water regularly until established
  • Drought tolerance: Moderate – can handle short droughts but may die in extended dry periods.
  • Pests/Diseases: No pests or diseases are of particular concern.
  • Growing conditions: Should be grown in a warm, sunny area. It is a hardy plant known to grow in disturbed areas. Once established, it is low maintenance and will grow and spread aggressively by underground rhizomes. Keep this in mind when planting it, as smaller plants may be shaded out if they are too close by.
  • Characteristics: This plant produces many stems that often droop when they reach full height. The leaves are lance-shaped and grow close to each other up the stem in a whorled arrangement. The flowers grow in many large clusters at the ends of stems. Flower heads are very small and bright golden yellow. Each plant may have hundreds of flowers. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes and often forms large thickets.
  • Propagation: By seeds or by division.
  • Wildlife: The flowers are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and other insects.
  • Facts: It is very common in the Southeastern United States, growing along roadsides, ditches, and other disturbed areas.
  • Designer considerations: It is a must-have for pollinator and wildflower gardens, but should have an area of its own due to its aggressive growth. It also looks beautiful next to pathways as well as ponds and other small bodies of water.
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