Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
- Native to:
- Canada, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States
Georg Slickers
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- Solidago canadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- SOCA6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrocercops sp. n., blackberry looper (Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria), Brown-hooded owlet (Cucullia convexipennis), Bucculatrix magnella, Cremastobombycia solidaginis, Dejongia , Dichomeris ochripalpella, Gnorimoschema sp. B, Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina), goldenrod gall moth (Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis), Goldenrod Gall Moth (Epiblema scudderiana), Hellinsia homodactylus, Hitched Arch (Melanchra adjuncta), Phaneta ochroterminana, Scrobipalpa sp. B, triangle-backed eucosma (Eucosma dorsisignatana), Trichoptilus lobidactylus, Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and (Bombus auricomus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Fernald cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus flavidus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Indiscriminate cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus insularis), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Sitka bumble bee (Bombus sitkensis), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Zadontomerus Ashmead Moths:Atteva aurea, Brown-hooded owlet (Cucullia convexipennis), Cremastobombycia solidaginis, goldenrod gall moth (Gnorimoschema gallaesolidaginis), Goldenrod Hooded Owlet (Cucullia asteroides), Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, moths, birds, beneficial insects
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire. Fire can help control woody competitors and maintain goldenrod stands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.5 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed areas like roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Surface sowing on moist media, covering with plastic to trap moisture and placing on heat mats set to keep the media around 80-86°F. Stratification may be required for full germination potential.
Establishment: Germination time and protocol may vary based on regional and ecological varieties. Some protocols suggest no pre-treatment is required, while others suggest stratification or heat treatment.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).