Tall goldenrod
Pictured above: Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) by Eleanor Dietrich. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.
Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is a robust wildflower that grows in open woodlands, prairies and in disturbed areas such as roadsides and fields. Its impressive display of golden flowers from late summer through fall attracts numerous pollinators, including butterflies, bees and beetles. Soldier beetles in the genus Chauliognathus are especially attracted to the nectar-rich blooms.
The plant’s green stems are pubescent, covered in fine white hairs. Leaves are alternately arranged, lanceolate and range from 3 to 6 inches long. Margins may be entire or shallowly toothed, and undersides are typically pubescent. The bright yellow flowering panicles can produce more than 1,000 small flowerheads in a large, conical array. Individual flowerheads are composed of numerous linear ray florets surrounding and average of three to six disk florets.
This species is also commonly referred to as Canada goldenrod, a name rooted in taxonomic confusion. Within the genus Solidago, S. altissima belongs to the subsection Triplinervae, along with S. canadensis. Some sources consider S. altissima to be a variety of S. canadensis, which in Florida is listed as Solidago canadensis var. scabra.
Family: Asteraceae (Aster, composite or daisy family)
Native range: Panhandle and into the northern peninsula
To see where natural populations of Tall goldenrod have been vouchered, visit florida.plantatlas.usf.edu.
Lifespan: Perennial
Soil: Moist to dry sand, clay or loam
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Growth habit: Up to 8 feet tall
Propagation: Seed
Florida regions of landscape suitability: North
Garden tips: Tall goldenrod is a nice addition to a wildflower meadow or pollinator garden. Its height should be considered when choosing a planting location, and it benefits from being planted in close proximity to other native wildflowers and grasses that can help provide structural support.
Tall goldenrod is available from nurseries that specialize in Florida native plants. Visit www.PlantRealFlorida.org to find a nursery in your area. Seeds may be available from the Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative at www.FloridaWildflowers.com.
Learn more about Tall goldenrod from the Institute for Regional Conservation.
For information on other Solidago species, see:
Chapman’s goldenrod
Wand goldenrod
