Solidago: Goldenrod
When much of the garden is winding down and fading in late summer and early fall, native goldenrod emereges—much to the delight of local pollinators!
Plant care & info
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Solidago
Common Name: Goldenrod
North America
Narrow, toothed leaves arrange themselves along upright stems that are topped by bright, golden-yellow flowers grouped together into slightly arching plumes.
With ample water and good drainage, Solidago will thrive in full sun to partial shade, though slightly drier conditions will somewhat curb their tendency to spread.
Mostly pest and disease free. When overcrowded however, plants can sometimes develop rust fungus. Also, if drainage is poor, root rot can occur.
Plumes of bright, golden-yellow flowers appear atop upright, slender stems reaching heights of six feet or more. Some of the stems will topple and can be staked or removed, but if you like your plants to be a little shorter and fuller, you can pinch back the growing tips in the late spring.
Other than the tallest of dahlias, goldenrod will tower over most perennials, and because the bottom twelve inches or so at the base are often bare, it’s often placed at the back of borders. If medium-height plants are growing in front of the goldenrod, they can help prop up any leaning stems!
Find Natives for your garden
We offer a great selection of Northwest Natives from spring through fall. The plants featured are highlighted favorites, but they do not represent ALL of the plants we carry. For a more complete list, see our Northwest Native Plant List.
