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Showy Goldenrod

Solidago speciosa

Most ornamental of the goldenrods — upright pyramidal flower plumes with reddish-purple stems. Clump-forming rather than aggressively spreading. Outstanding for sunny borders.

Family

Asteraceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–3 ft

Spacing

2–3 ft apart

Light

part shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral, alkaline

Bloom

August, September

Bloom colors

yellow

Wildlife value

pollinators, butterflies, songbirds, larval host

Caterpillar hosts

~125 butterfly & moth species

Landscape uses

naturalizing

Native states

AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY