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Solidago caesia

bluestem goldenrod

Asteraceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Solidago caesia is a herbaceous perennial growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, with slender, arching, unbranched stems coated in a waxy blue-purple bloom that gives the plant its name. The leaves are lance-shaped, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, toothed, and stalkless, spaced evenly along the stem. Small yellow flower heads about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across are clustered in the leaf axils along the upper half of the stem rather than in a terminal plume, so bloom runs in a wreath-like line down the arching stems. Flowering occurs in late summer and fall. After bloom the heads form fluffy seedheads carried on the wind. The plant grows from short rhizomes into loose clumps rather than spreading colonies. Foliage may show light mildew late in the season in dry shade.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia and Ontario south to Florida and Texas. It grows in open deciduous woods, woodland edges, and shaded clearings on moist to dry, well-drained soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown in shade and woodland gardens, native plantings, and the front of part-shade borders, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. The late flowers supply nectar for bees and butterflies as other blooms fade. The arching habit suits naturalized drifts under high shade.

How to Identify

Recognized by arching stems with a waxy blue-purple coating and small yellow flower clusters set in the leaf axils along the stem, not gathered in a terminal plume. This axillary, wreath-like bloom separates it from most goldenrods, which flower in branched terminal sprays. Leaves are lance-shaped, toothed, and stalkless.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers from late summer into fall, mainly August to October, later than many woodland perennials. Bloom lasts about 4-6 weeks along the arching stems. Wind-borne seed follows within a few weeks of flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Tolerates up to 6 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 Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full shade on moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, and tolerates drier shade once established. It spreads slowly by short rhizomes and stays in tidy clumps rather than running. Powdery mildew can dull the foliage in dry, still air late in the season. It needs little care and no staking, as the arching stems hold themselves. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in spring to renew vigor. Native bees and butterflies work the late flowers heavily.

Pruning

Cut the stems to the ground in late fall or early spring after the seed disperses. Cutting plants back by one-third in early summer makes shorter, bushier stems but delays bloom. Removing spent flower stems limits self-seeding.

Pruning Schedule

fallearly spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic