Solidago gigantea
giant goldenrod
Overview
Solidago gigantea is a tall, rhizomatous perennial native to North America, growing 3-7 feet (0.9-2.1 m) tall on smooth, often waxy-coated stems that are usually green to reddish and hairless below the flower cluster. The lance-shaped leaves are 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, sharply toothed, and arranged alternately up the stem. From late summer into fall the plant produces large, branching, pyramidal clusters of small golden-yellow flower heads that arch outward at the top. The flowers draw bees, wasps, butterflies, and many other late-season insects. S. gigantea spreads by creeping rhizomes to form dense colonies in moist meadows, ditches, stream banks, and old fields. It can spread aggressively and crowd out smaller plants, and it is considered an invasive weed in parts of Europe and Asia where it has been introduced. The smooth, waxy stem separates it from the hairy-stemmed Canada goldenrod. It tolerates a range of soils and moisture levels but grows tallest in moist, fertile ground. Goldenrod pollen is heavy and insect-carried, so it is not a cause of hay fever despite its bloom time. Growth is fast, and clumps enlarge each year.
Native Range
Solidago gigantea is native to most of North America, from Canada south through the United States into Mexico. It grows in moist meadows, ditches, floodplains, stream banks, and old fields.Suggested Uses
S. gigantea is used in native, pollinator, and meadow plantings, rain gardens, and naturalized borders where its spread is welcome. The late golden flowers support bees and butterflies before winter. Plants are spaced 18-36 inches (45-90 cm) apart, with room for the colony to expand.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 7'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
S. gigantea grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, from clay to sand, and from moist to seasonally dry. It grows tallest and fullest in moist, fertile ground. Water needs are moderate. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, it overwinters as dormant rhizomes. The plant spreads aggressively by rhizome and seed, so it can overwhelm small beds without containment. Cutting back after bloom limits self-seeding.Pruning
S. gigantea can be cut to the ground in late fall or early spring once growth dies back. Cutting stems by half in early summer reduces height and flopping. Removing spent flower heads before seed ripens limits self-sowing.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fallearly spring