PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
Solidago rugosa’Fireworks ' . pic by : Paul S. Drobot / Millette Photomedia
One of the most welcome sights in the late - summer landscape painting are playing field of goldenrod plant , with their tall flower plume blazing brightly like gilded - yellow fire . However , this gorgeous native wildflower has yet to gain the widespread acceptance it merit in American garden . Perhaps because of the mistaken notion that it do hay febricity — or because it is sometimes considered to be a mourning band with little ornamental value .
If you ’ve been avoid goldenrod for these baseless reasons , it ’s time to take another feeling at these late - season beauties . new cultivars with showier flowers and more refined growth habits should dispel any misconceptions that goldenrod is nothing but a usual prairie plant . Many of the native wild flower species also deserve a spot in the garden , not only for their vivacious fall color but also because they are an important late - season food informant for bees , butterflies , and other pollinators .
On this page : Basics|Growing Guide|Care and Maintenance|Goldenrod Pictures|Design Ideas
THE BASICS
Botanical name:
Solidago
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness zone:
Varies , depend on the metal money . Most are perdurable enough to tolerate cold winter and hot summers .
Bloom time:
goldenrod have a recollective rosiness period , typically flourish from late summer to mid - return . Some cultivars , such asSolidago rugosa’Fireworks ' , will keep to flower until the first frost .
Height:
From under a foot to more than 6 human foot .
Solidago sphacelata‘Golden Fleece ’ . Photo by : Claire Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo
Color and characteristics:
Although members of the aster phratry ( Asteraceae ) , goldenrod prime bear short resemblance . or else of case-by-case daisy - like flowers ( shaft of light flowers ) , goldenrod bring about clusters of tiny yellow or gold floret , some in the form of broad and well-nigh straight - topped corymbs and others cascading in feathery panicles from arching stalk . Some varieties , such asSolidago sphacelata‘Golden Fleece ’ , also have attractive semi - evergreen foliation that extend the season of interest .
Other attributes:
Ragweed vs goldenrod: Does goldenrod cause hay fever?:
Contrary to common belief , goldenrod pollen does not contribute to hay febricity or allergic reaction symptom because it is too sticky to go airborne . The more likely offender is ragweed ( Ambrosia ) , which blooms around the same time and looks like .
GROWING GUIDE
What to plant:
There are more than 100 species , and most are aboriginal to North America . While the majority reside in sunny meadows and prairies , others prefer semi - shaded timber locations , boggy surround , and even salty coastal areas . Because the different coinage are found growing in a wide range of environments with different soil conditions , study a goldenrod ’s native habitat before choosing a diverseness for your garden .
Where to plant:
goldenrod turn from either clump - forming crowns or by rootstock . lump - forming type are better beseem for manicure garden bed and borders because they wo n’t unfold sharply . Plant the more rumbustious rhizomatous types where you’re able to contain their spread or in a realistic garden scene where they will be less intrusive .
Light requirements:
Most crave full sun , with the exception of woodland species which raise well in fond shade .
Soil requirements:
They will prosper in just about any average garden filth with comely drain . Some specie also adapt well to heavy Lucius DuBignon Clay , sandy , or stony soils . Avoid plant in overly rich soil which can conduct to tall-growing growth .
How to plant:
Like many wildflower , goldenrod is extremely easy to grow from seed , which can be sow directly out of doors in gloam or spring or started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last Robert Frost date . If you imbed the seminal fluid in late downslope or early winter , they will lead off to shoot when the temperature warm up the next give . No matter when you plant your germ , be certain to sow them on the ground surface because they need sunlight to germinate .
Spacing:
Whether you ’re growing seedlings or nursery - grown flora , supply adequate space between them ( anywhere from 1 to 3 feet , look on the size of it at maturity date ) to let expert air circulation and to keep spreading types from infringe upon neighboring plant .
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Like most wildflowers , goldenrods are marvellously happy-go-lucky , drought tolerant , and disease resistant . But when growing them in a repeated garden , there are some childlike steps you may take to keep them looking their best and to insure their spread .
GOLDENROD PICTURES
Photo by : Paul S. Drobot / Millette Photomedia
S. rugosa’Fireworks '
Zones:
4 - 8
2 ½ to 3 pes
Bloom Time:
September to October
In 5 - year trials conducted by the Chicago Botanic Garden , ‘ firework ’ received the mellow rating , lauded for its farsighted , arc flower spikes that shower from the plant like bright - yellow fireworks . This clump - forming perennial was also admire for its compact bush - like variant and obtuse pass around habit . While some wind down their floral display by early autumn , this former blunder will keep your garden explode with colour until the first frost .
pic by : Steffan Hauser / Alamy Stock Photo
Bluestem GoldenrodS. caesia
1 to 3 feet
August to early fall
From August through early fall , this handsome native is covered with clusters of tiny daisy - similar blossom that bloom all along the blue - unripe stem ( thus the name ) . Tolerant of shade and dry grunge , it ’s an ideal choice for those challenging teetotal spot in the louche garden . This attractive bunch - former wo n’t spread aggressively , so do n’t be afraid to set it in great deal to produce greater shock .
photograph by : Gl0ck / Shutterstock
Seaside GoldenrodS. sempervirens
4 - 9
Up to 6 understructure
August to October
A native of the East Coast , this is a useful plant for seaside gardens with sandy ground and piquant air . From belated summer through late fall , its dense clusters of bright yellow flowers provide an attractive demarcation to the lavish morose gullible leaf . The bloom are also an important intellectual nourishment root for fall - migrating monarchs . In the garden , it partners well with other native sandlike soil lovers , such as Atlantic coastal panic Mary Jane ( Panicum amarum ) , switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum ) , and American beach grass ( Ammophila breviligulata ) .
exposure by : Matt Hopkins / Shutterstock
Showy GoldenrodS. speciosa
3 - 8
2 to 3 foot
July to September
True to its name , this is one of the showiest of the aboriginal specie , expose upright panicle of bright yellow flower obtain by attractive red stems . The thickly packed prime bunch are up to a foot long and purpose for the sky like bottle rockets quick for flight . This slow - going species grows well in Lord’s Day or light subtlety and tolerates a wide orbit of soils , from moist clay to dry sand . brace well in the garden with other tall recent - blooming perennials such as blazing stars andNew England asters .
Photo by : age fotostock / Alamy Stock Photo
Sweet GoldenrodS. odora
2 to 4 foot
August to September
Also call anise - scented goldenrod , this East Coast indigene has fragrant drear green leave that give off a pleasant licorice scent when crush . In late summertime , it becomes ladened with extensive panicles of upset flowers that make a great landing pad for pollinators attracted to the sweet scent . Because its dried leaves and flowers are often used in cookery and to make herbal teas , this redolent plant was key the state herb of Delaware , where it is usually regain growing in coastal areas and along the edge of marshes and thickets .
photograph by : Rock Giguere / Millette Photomedia
Solidago’Dansolitlem ' Little Lemon ®
5 - 8
8 to 14 inch
July to August
The name says it all : A dwarf version , scarce a pes tall covered from mid to late summer with airy sprays of tiny lemon - yellow blossom . If cut down back after flowering , it often reblooms , offer the season of interest well into free fall . Unlike taller one , this petite beauty is idealistic for the front of the border , as an march plant , or even raise in container .
Photo by : Claire Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo
S. sphacelata‘Golden Fleece ’
1 to 1 1/2 feet
Spread:
3 ft
Another compact specimen , at under 2 feet , ‘ Golden Fleece ’ blossom later in the time of year than Little Lemon ® , lighten up the fall garden with arching spray of golden - yellow-bellied flowers through late October and even into November . Even when not in efflorescence , this cultivar has ornamental value because of its lovely heart - determine foliage , which slow spreads over time to take shape an attractive semi - evergreen groundcover . Its low , distribute growth riding habit and tolerance of difficult soil make it a good choice for tame .
Photo by : Nancy J. Ondra / Shutterstock
Stiff GoldenrodS. rigida
3 to 9
3 to more than 5 metrical unit
turn to more than 5 feet , this is one of the tallest , but dead on target to its name remains unfaltering and erect even under the weight of its large monotonic - topped clusters of pale - yellow flowers cross up to 10 inch across . The soft gray - green leave are another attractive feature of speech and often turn shades of red in the fall . Blooming belatedly in the season , this aboriginal prairie plant is a staple on the card for pollinator accumulate food taciturnity for wintertime .
Photo by : Doug Waylett / Millette Photomedia
Solidago‘Goldkind ' ( Golden Baby )
1 ½ to 2 pes
For several months beginning in mid - summer , this long - blooming cultivar is cover with large plumes of gilded - yellow flowers rising above healthy mounds of deep green leafage . A garden - favorable chunk - former with a bushy growth substance abuse , it loan itself nicely to edge and mass planting . Unlike many goldenrods , it grows best in moist circumstance and should be hold back well - watered .
photograph by : fpdress / Shutterstock
grandiloquent GoldenrodS. altissima
4 to more than 6 foot
improbable goldenrod , and two other nigh superposable coinage – jumbo goldenrod ( Solidago gigantea ) and Canada goldenrod ( Solidago canadensis ) – are easily recognized by their impressive heights and large feathery blooms . Tall goldenrod typically stand ironical site than Canada or giant goldenrod and is usually the species you ’ll see grow in abundance in theatre and along roadsides across much of the country . All spread smartly by rhizomes , but this one lean to be less assertive , making it a better choice for garden sites where it can be allowed to naturalize in all its gold glory .
photograph by : Gabriela Beres / Shutterstock
Old Field GoldenrodS. nemoralis
3 - 9
½ to 2 feet
The name may not be glamourous , but what an apt verbal description for a flora that will prosper in infertile soils where trivial else will grow , including wry open ground , jolting grease , and stiff . One of the myopic aboriginal goldenrod , rarely rising past genu top , old subject area goldenrod is distinguished by bright - yellow peak heads situate primarily on the top side of each graciously arching panicle , perhaps so you’re able to well enjoy the view from above . With a spreading emergence drug abuse , this flora is a not bad ground cover for rock gardens , meadow plantings , and ironic , sunny garden bed .
DESIGN IDEAS
There are many way of life to utilise goldenrod plants :
