Canada Goldenrod is a native perennial plant in the daisy family that is found in much of Canada and the USA except for the southernmost SE states. Due to its wide distribution, there are several varieties causing variation in the size, leaf and flower description. It has branching pyramid-shaped cascading clusters of small yellow flowers that appear in late summer into fall. It is not related to ragweed that causes allergy symptoms. Goldenrods spread by seed and rhizomes and are considered weedy by some. Use this plant in naturalized areas or meadows, in pollinator gardens and native gardens. It prefers a soil with some clay and moist but not wet conditions in full sun. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers. Problems: rust (Coleosporium asterum), powdery mildew, and leaf spot. Insect pests include aphids, beetles, and gall-forming insects. More information on Solidago .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
4-6 inches long and 1 inch wide green leaves are lanceolate to broadly linear, alternate leaves and tapered with spaced sharp teeth. The surface is smooth with possible hairs on veins underneath.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Branching clusters of yellow flower heads at the top of the plant. Pyramidal clusters of flowers are broadly spreading and cascading, with 100 to 1300+ flowers in the cluster. Flowers are about 1/8 inch across with usually 8 to 15 petals (ray flowers) surrounding a central disc with usually 3 to 6 disc flowers. Commercially, can be used as a filler flower in floral arrangements. In the garden, it blooms in late summer to fall when other summer flowers are done blooming. Blooms from August to October.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
This brown seed is oblong-shaped with white hair attached to the tip to allow dispersal by the wind.
Stem detail
Green to reddish straight stems with hairs up to 6 feet tall
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Canada, U.S.A.
Distribution
AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. The pollen and nectar are attractive to many pollinators including monarch butterflies. The flowers and leaves are eaten by deer and birds will eat the seeds.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Uses (ethnobotany)
It has been used in folk medicine and has anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used to treat wounds, allergies, TB, arthritis, asthma, hypertension and as a diuretic.