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Solidago nemoralis

field goldenrod

Asteraceae Central and eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Solidago nemoralis is a compact herbaceous perennial growing 1-2.5 feet (30-75 cm) tall and about 1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm) wide, shorter than many goldenrods. The whole plant is covered in short gray hairs that give the gray-green foliage a soft, dull surface. Narrow basal and stem leaves are 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, with the lower leaves toothed and tapering to a winged stalk. From August to October it produces arching, one-sided plumes of small golden-yellow flower heads that often nod to one side. The flowers attract bees, wasps, and butterflies late in the season, and the seeds feed small birds. It is native to dry, open ground across central and eastern North America, including old fields, prairies, roadsides, and rocky barrens. It grows well on poor, dry, sandy soils and tolerates drought and neglect, though the same vigor lets it spread by rhizome and seed where conditions suit it. In rich or moist soil it grows taller and may flop. It stays low and tolerates drier, leaner soils than many other goldenrods.

Native Range

Native to central and eastern North America, from southern Canada south to Texas and Florida. It grows in dry, open habitats such as old fields, prairies, sandy barrens, roadsides, and rocky ground.

Suggested Uses

Used in dry meadows, prairie plantings, rock gardens, and pollinator borders on lean soils. It suits sunny banks and infertile sites where taller plants struggle. The late bloom supports bees and butterflies, and the seed heads feed birds into winter.

How to Identify

Recognized by its low stature, 1-2.5 feet (30-75 cm) tall, and gray-green foliage covered in short hairs that feel soft to the touch. The golden-yellow flower heads form a narrow, arching, one-sided plume that often bends to one side at the stem tip. Lower leaves are toothed and taper to a winged base, with small leaf tufts in their axils, separating it from taller smooth-stemmed goldenrods.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'6"

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer Fall

Blooms from August to October, among the later wildflowers of the season. The small golden flower heads crowd a one-sided arching plume and hold color for several weeks. Wind-borne seeds form in fall and persist into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

gray-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 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun on dry, well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soils, including poor and infertile ground, across a pH of about 5.0-7.0. It is drought-tolerant once established and needs no supplemental water in most settings. Hardy in USDA zones 3-9, it withstands cold, heat, and lean conditions. Rich or moist soil produces taller, weaker stems that flop, while poor dry soil keeps it compact. It spreads by short rhizomes and self-seeding and can be thinned where it crowds neighbors. No fertilizer is needed, and feeding can reduce flowering.

Pruning

Cutting stems back in early summer reduces height and limits flopping on richer soils. Spent flower stalks can be left for winter interest and bird forage or removed after seed disperses. Old growth is cleared in late winter before new shoots emerge.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic