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Solidago altissima

tall goldenrod

Asteraceae North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Solidago altissima is a rhizomatous perennial in the aster family, growing 3 to 6.5 feet (0.9-2 m) tall on stiff, hairy, usually unbranched stems. The lance-shaped leaves are 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, sharply toothed toward the tip, three-veined, and rough to the touch, crowded along the upper stem and reduced below. In late summer and autumn the stem tips bear large, one-sided, arching plumes of hundreds of small golden-yellow flower heads, each about 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) across. The plant spreads by long rhizomes into broad clonal stands and self-sows by wind-borne seed, often dominating old fields, prairies, and roadsides. It tolerates a wide range of soils and is a common component of successional meadows across its range. The vigorous rhizomes carry it well beyond its first position, so it can crowd smaller plants in a border. Stems may lean or lodge in rich soil or shade.

Native Range

Native to North America, widespread across southern Canada and most of the United States from the Atlantic coast to the Rocky Mountains. It grows in open fields, prairies, meadows, woodland edges, and roadsides.

Suggested Uses

Used in meadows, prairie plantings, and the back of large borders for late-season yellow color, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. The autumn flowers draw bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when little else blooms. Because of its spread, it suits naturalistic settings more than small formal beds.

How to Identify

Recognized by tall, hairy, unbranched stems and rough, three-veined, lance-shaped leaves that are sharply toothed near the tip. The golden flower heads are massed in large, one-sided, arching plumes at the stem tips in autumn. Its pollen is heavy and insect-carried rather than wind-borne, separating it from the ragweeds that bloom at the same time and cause hay fever.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 6'6"

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Summer Fall

Golden plumes open from August through October and last several weeks into the first frosts. The flowers are a late-season nectar source before winter. Fluffy wind-borne seed follows from October onward.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam sand silt

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years to form stands

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light shade on average to moist soil across a wide pH range. It tolerates clay, sand, drought, and periodic wet spells once established, needing no feeding. The rhizomes spread widely, so it builds large clumps that may need dividing or edging to contain. Plants are hardy to about -40F (-40C) in zones 3-9 and die back to the ground each winter. Full sun produces sturdier, more upright stems, while shade and rich soil cause flopping. Cutting back by half in early summer keeps stems shorter and self-supporting.

Pruning

Cutting stems back by one-third to one-half in late spring reduces height and lessens flopping. Spent flower stems can be cut to the ground in late autumn or left standing for winter interest and seed. Dividing clumps every few years in spring limits the spread of the rhizomes.