Solidago puberula

Common Names

Downy Goldenrod

Summary

Downy goldenrod is a native North American perennial herb that grows 1–3 ft tall with erect, puberulent stems and basal leaves; it forms dense heads of yellow flowers in elongated panicles, each head carrying 9–16 ray florets and 6–15 disc florets, blooming August to October into bottlebrush-like spikes, and occurs in sandy or acidic soils across habitats from bogs and wet meadows to dry woodlands. In cultivation it prefers sun to part shade and tolerates dry to moist soils, including sandy conditions; hardy in zones 4–9, drought-tolerant, and relatively low maintenance; it is not aggressively spreading, though can naturalize by seed after soil disturbance, making it suitable for pollinator gardens, rock gardens, and rain gardens.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Wet soils (bogs, wet meadows, and wet pastures) are ideal for Solidago puberula.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

Acid soil (low pH)

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Fall

Foliage Color

Grayish-green

Fall Foliage Color

Unknown

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Not specified

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and birds