Solidago odora

Common Names

Sweet Goldenrod, Anise-Scented Goldenrod

Summary

Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora), also called Anise-scented Goldenrod, is a North American native perennial that forms tidy clumps and grows about 2–4 feet tall with a 1–2 foot spread. Crushed leaves release a licorice/anise scent; plumes of yellow flowers appear along upper stems from midsummer to early fall, attracting bees and butterflies. Leaves and dried flowers can be brewed into tea.

Prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained soils, tolerating sandy, loamy, or clay soils and enduring drought once established. It is not weedy or aggressively spreading, and may self-seed in favorable conditions; deer resistant and highly attractive to pollinators. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9; suitable for wildflower meadows, naturalistic borders, and cottage or butterfly gardens; propagation by division or seed.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24-48 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade, according to sources.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

pH below 6.8 (acidic to slightly acidic soil)

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Late Summer to Early Fall

Foliage Color

Dark Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds