Showy Goldenrod
Solidago speciosa
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Barnes Dr Thomas G, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Solidago
- Species:
- Solidago speciosa
- USDA Symbol:
- SOSP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
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)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Moths:Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, beetles, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; benefits from periodic burning in prairie systems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny areas in prairies
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.