Goldenrod
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago
sempervirens) is generally the most
available of the four native goldenrods
that are grown commercially. This
plant blooms in very showy masses on
dunes, in swales and brackish marshes,
on sandy soils in coastal areas, and
occasionally inland throughout the state,
except for the Keys.
Goldenrod is often mistakenly blamed
for triggering allergies, but it is ragweed,
which blooms heavily around the same
time, that is to blame.
Goldenrods have been used medicinally
since Roman times or earlier. Seaside
goldenrod was used by the Seminoles to
treat wounds.
Description
Seaside goldenrod has golden-yellow
tubular blooms that densely cover the
long wand-like inorescences on the tips
of the stem in summer and fall in most of
the state, and also in the spring in South
Florida. This perennial retains its long
strap-shaped, somewhat-eshy basal
leaves year-round. Leaves gradually
become smaller as they ascend stems.
Plants are 4- to 6-feet tall in ower and
spread by rhizomes to make large
colonies over time. Plant it where it can
make a big show in the garden, or allow it
a large space in the landscape.
Planting
Since Seaside goldenrod spreads by
rhizomes to make dense stands with
stout stems, it is easy to retain in the
landscape. It can be propagated using
division or seeds.
Seeds
Collect seeds after owers are spent
and uffy tufts of hairs occur. These are
called “pappus” and are attached to the
end of seeds. Seeds also are available
commercially.
Plants
Plants are available in quart, 1-gallon and
3-gallon containers. Because of their large
size, they can be spaced 3 feet or more
apart and allowed to ll in over time.
Care
This plant performs best in harsh
conditions with no watering after
establishment. To reduce height, cut back
plants in mid-summer before blooms start
to form, and cut back to basal rosettes
after blooming. There is no need for cold
protection. Seaside goldenrod also is
fairly disease-free.
Site conditions
This plant needs lots of sun to bloom
prolically, but it will tolerate some shade.
Although it can occur in moist to wet
areas naturally, it is important to plant
it in sandy, well-drained soils for best
performance in landscapes. This keeps its
height in check, keeps plants from falling
over or needing staking, and produces
more showy blooms.
Seaside goldenrod is
salt tolerant.
Hardiness
zones
Seaside goldenrod is best suited for
zones 8a–11a.
Other species
Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta) blooms
in the fall with lavender blazing stars in
wetter atwoods and prairie communities
throughout Florida. It has the same
slender wand appearance of the blazing
star, but its owers are golden yellow.
This 2- to 4-foot perennial has small basal
leaves and very small appressed leaves
on its owering stems, which die back
after seeds mature.
Pinebarren goldenrod (Solidago stulosa)
is Florida’s most common goldenrod,
found on disturbed sites and in pine
atwoods, wetter soils, and dry upland
habitats throughout Florida. The panicles
of its golden owering heads are found on
the ends of stems reaching 3 to 5 feet. It
spreads through rhizomes to cover large
areas, so it should be carefully placed in
the landscape.
Chapman’s goldenrod (Solidago odora
var. chapmanii) likes the dry sandy
soils of sandhills and open hammocks
in the peninsula and a few areas in the
central Panhandle. It does not spread
by rhizomes, and is a relatively slender
branching plant that reaches 3 to 4 feet
tall — shorter than most other species.
Its typical golden owers bloom in late
summer to early fall and are found on the
tips of downward-bending branches.
A variety of butteries and other
pollinators are attracted to Goldenrod
as a nectar plant. The plants also
attract birds searching for insects.
3–4 ft
Nectar
Photo by Ryan Brown
Pinebarren goldenrod
Photo by Nelson DeBarros, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Seaside goldenrod
Photo by Mary Keim
Bees on goldenrod