Solidago
Golden rod
- Height × spread
- 0.25m – 2.5m × 0.25m – 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The golden rods provide bold colour in late summer and autumn. Some of the forms are large, Sorbus canadensis reaches two metres or more, whilst Sorbus cutleri often stands around 30cm in height and can be grown in a rock garden. There are a number of useful garden varieties of moderate height with flowers coloured in shades of yellow. There is a green and yellow variegated form available, Solidago flexicaulis 'Variegata'. Small forms for front of the border are available, including the bushy little Solidago 'Queenie' at 30cm in height.
- Flower colour
- White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cube, Dome, Horizontal, Round
- Height
- 0.25m – 2.5m
- Spread
- 0.25m – 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Prairie garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Found in
More Solidago
Solidago 'Cloth of Gold'
Golden rod
Solidago 'Golden Dwarf'
Golden rod
Solidago 'Golden Shower'
Golden rod
Solidago 'Goldenmosa'
Golden rod
Solidago 'Goldkind'
Golden rod
Solidago 'Goldstrahl'
Golden rod
Solidago 'Queenie'
Golden rod
Solidago canadensis
Canada golden rod