Solidago virgaurea

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goldenrod

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Other common names

Aaron's rod, golden rod, woundweed, woundwort

Synonyms

Solidago vulgaris

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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A herbaceous perennial to 50cm tall, forming a clump of sparsely branched stems bearing slender, toothed leaves. In late summer it produces narrow flower spikes composed of numerous tiny yellow flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Solidago are woody-based perennials, some invasive, with erect stems bearing narrow leaves and terminal panicles or racemes of small yellow flowers in summer and autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Most of Europe, including Britain

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, preferably sandy, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Remove flowered stems to prevent self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews