10 Beautiful Goldenrod Varieties for Your Garden

Are you looking for an easy-to-grow, bright, and beautiful plant that attracts pollinators to your garden? Many varieties of goldenrod can serve that purpose, delighting gardeners and butterflies alike. In this article, gardening expert Liessa Bowen introduces 11 gorgeous goldenrods that you can easily grow in your home garden.

Close-up of a flowering Solidago canadensis plant, one of the most popular goldenrod varieties. Featuring dense clusters of small, bright yellow flowers arranged in elongated, plume-like inflorescences, the plant adds a vibrant burst of color to late summer and fall landscapes. The lance-shaped leaves are toothed and arranged alternately along the stems.

Contents

Goldenrods are widespread perennial wildflowers in the aster family (Asteraceae). They are easy to grow, long-lasting, and beautiful! There are over 100 species of goldenrod and many showy cultivars that are popular with gardeners. Most species are native to North and South America, although there are some even found in Europe and Asia.

Goldenrods are diverse and well-adapted to many different environments. They grow naturally in the wild in open grasslands, fields, prairies, and along roadsides. Many like moist soils and grow around wetlands and low meadows. Some are tolerant of light to moderate shade and will grow in open woodlands, glades, and savannahs.

If you are looking for flowers to support butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators and beneficial insects, goldenrods are an ideal choice. Goldenrod flowers on a warm sunny day will be literally buzzing with activity. Grow these plants in a pollinator-friendly landscape, cottage garden, or native wildflower garden. They will also adapt very well to being grown in containers and raised beds. 

If growing a goldenrod sounds appealing, keep reading to learn more about 11 different varieties of these beautiful flowers that you can grow in your own garden.

Anise-scented Goldenrod 

Close-up of a blooming Solidago chilensis in a sunny garden against a blurred background. Solidago chilensis, commonly known as Chilean Goldenrod, is a herbaceous perennial distinguished by its vibrant and elongated clusters of yellow, daisy-like flowers. The numerous small blooms densely populate tall, erect stems. The lance-shaped leaves are bright green and alternate along the stems.
The anise-scented goldenrod thrives in full sun and blooms late summer into fall.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago chilensis
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

The anise-scented goldenrod, also known as sweet goldenrod or fragrant goldenrod, is native to eastern North America. It grows best in full sun or partial shade but will develop denser, more compact vegetation in full sun. It prefers dry to medium-moisture, well-drained soil. 

Anise-scented goldenrod is a clump-forming plant and does not spread aggressively. It stays relatively compact, reaching only one or two feet tall. Anise-scented goldenrod blooms from late summer into fall with plumes of pyramid-shaped flower clusters. The flowers are long-lasting, and the leaves have a pleasant fragrance.

Bluestem Goldenrod 

Close-up of leaves of the Solidago caesia plant, commonly known as Blue-stemmed Goldenrod, in a garden. The lance-shaped leaves are alternate along the stems and have serrated edges.
The bluestem goldenrod thrives in partially shaded landscapes, with arching stems and bright yellow flowers in late summer.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago caesia
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

The bluestem goldenrod, also known as wreath goldenrod, is native to central and eastern North America. This goldenrod typically grows in open woodlands and would do well in a partially shaded landscape. Grow it in moist, well-drained soil. 

Bluestem goldenrod is a clump-forming variety that does not spread aggressively. It can grow up to four feet tall but typically stays shorter than that, especially because the stems will grow in an arching habit. Small, loose clusters of bright yellow flowers bloom along the stems in late summer and early fall. As the name implies, the stems can have a blue or purplish coloration but do not always appear blue.

Canada Goldenrod

Close-up of a flowering plant, Solidago canadensis, commonly known as Canada Goldenrod, in a garden against a blurred green background. This plant is characterized by its erect stems adorned with dense, elongated clusters of small, bright yellow flowers. The lance-shaped leaves are serrated and alternate along the stems.
This goldenrod can reach six feet tall in full sun and spreads rapidly in naturalized areas.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago canadensis
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun 
height height 2 – 6 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 9

Canada goldenrod is native throughout much of Canada and the United States, except for the extreme southeastern states. This variety spreads rapidly and would be best suited for a larger area rather than a small garden setting.

Canada goldenrod reaches a peak height of around six feet, making this a great plant for a tallgrass prairie landscape. The flowers bloom in late summer and may continue blooming until the first frost. The large yellow floral masses are densely packed in a pyramid-shaped cluster of finger-like projections. 

Downy Goldenrod

Close-up of a flowering plant, Solidago petiolaris, commonly known as Downy Goldenrod, in a sunny garden. It boasts slender, arching stems adorned with delicate, feathery plumes of small, bright yellow flowers that create a soft and airy effect. The lance-shaped leaves are finely toothed and have a downy texture.
This goldenrod thrives in full sun, blooms from summer to fall, and attracts late-season pollinators.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago petiolaris
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1 – 4 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 6 – 10

Downy goldenrod, also known as the downy ragged goldenrod, is native to the south-central and southeastern United States. This plant grows in full sun or partial shade and would be a good option for an open woodland garden. Give it moist soil. 

‘Downy Goldenrod’ blooms from summer into fall. The flowers form in dense, bright yellow clusters atop a group of upright, leafy stems. This plant does well in warmer climates and is a good choice for southern states with high humidity. Are you looking for a great late-season pollinator magnet? Look no further than the downy goldenrod.

‘Fireworks’ Goldenrod

Close-up of flowering Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks,' commonly known as Fireworks Goldenrod, in a sunny garden. This cultivar features arching stems that burst with a profusion of small, bright yellow flowers arranged in an exuberant, fireworks-like display. The lance-shaped leaves are deep green and contribute to the plant's lush and bushy appearance.
This goldenrod cultivar, bursting with bright yellow flowers, thrives in full sun, making a stunning fall garden display.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 3 – 3.5 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

‘Fireworks’ is a cultivar that produces lots of bright yellow flowers in dramatic finger-like bursts. ‘Fireworks’ reaches full bloom in the fall and adds some color and radiating form to your fall garden.

Grow ‘Fireworks’ in full sun for the best flower formation. This variety appreciates medium to moist soil and would be a good option for a rain garden or alongside a pond or other wetland.  Allow these plants to spread into a dense cluster, and you will have your own golden fireworks display!

‘Goldkind’ Goldenrod

Close-up of flowering perennial Solidago 'Goldkind' in a sunny garden. This cultivar showcases erect stems adorned with bright golden-yellow plumes of small, daisy-like flowers. The lance-shaped leaves are deep green and provide a lush backdrop to the profusion of blooms.
This compact beauty offers showy, pollinator-friendly blooms from mid-summer to fall, perfect for cutting gardens.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago ‘Goldkind’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 1.5 – 2 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 8

‘Goldkind’ is a compact cultivar. These plants grow up to two feet tall and form attractive clumps. The flowers bloom from mid-summer until fall and put on a showy display. Dense, plume-like flower heads with many thin, branching tufts of tiny yellow flowers are sure to be a bee favorite. ‘Goldkind’ makes great flowers for cutting.

‘Goldkind’ grows best in full sun. Give it medium-moisture, well-drained soil. ‘Goldkind’ will spread by rhizomes but is not aggressive. Allow small clusters to grow and fill in for maximum showy appeal. This is a great addition to your cutting garden or cottage garden. Because of its smaller size, ‘Goldkind’ is easy to incorporate in many different garden styles.

‘Little Lemon’ Goldenrod

Close-up of a flowering Solidago 'Little Lemon' plant in a garden. This cultivar forms neat mounds of foliage adorned with small, bright lemon-yellow flowers. The lance-shaped leaves are rich green, creating a lush backdrop for the profuse blooms.
This petite dwarf goldenrod adds charm with lemon-yellow blooms, perfect for smaller gardens or containers.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago ‘Little Lemon’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 1 foot
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5 – 8

‘Little Lemon’ is a goldenrod cultivar that is a petite dwarf variety. It grows to just 12 to 14 inches tall and makes an excellent addition to a smaller garden, container garden, or along edges and walkways. The showy lemon-yellow flowers bloom in late summer as a cluster of dense spikes atop each plant. 

‘Little Lemon’ goldenrod likes full sun where it will grow into a neat clump. Give it medium moisture, well-drained soil. Don’t worry about this cultivar getting out of hand and taking over your garden. It will spread slowly. Cut back the flowers after the first bloom, and you might even get a second fall bloom.

Ohio Goldenrod

Close-up shot of flowering Solidago ohioensis, commonly known as Ohio Goldenrod, in a garden against a blurred green background. This perennial features erect, slender stems adorned with lance-shaped leaves arranged alternately along the stem. The foliage is deep green, providing a lush backdrop for the vibrant clusters of small, bright yellow flowers. The inflorescence forms a dense, plume-like arrangement at the top of the stems.
This showy native perennial thrives in cooler climates with broad, flattened yellow blooms.
botanical-name botanical name Oligoneuron ohioense
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 2 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4 – 9

Ohio goldenrod is a showy perennial wildflower native to the upper Midwestern states and Canada. It thrives in cooler climates and will do well in full sun or partial shade. It appreciates medium to moist soil. 

The Ohio goldenrod is a fairly compact plant that grows between two and three feet tall. In the summer and fall, it blooms with dense, broad clusters of tiny yellow flowers. Many varieties have finger-like flower spikes. In comparison, the Ohio goldenrod has a much broader, flattened floral display.

Showy Goldenrod

Close-up of a flowering Solidago speciosa plant in a garden. The lance-shaped leaves are finely toothed and arranged alternately along the stems. Clusters of brilliant yellow flowers, characterized by their daisy-like appearance, form at the apex of the stems in a showy and conspicuous arrangement.
Native to central and eastern North America, Showy goldenrod thrives in cooler climates.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago speciosa
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 2 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

Showy goldenrod is native to much of central and eastern North America. It grows very well in cooler climates and appreciates full sun exposure. The soil should be dry to medium moisture with good drainage. This is a clump-forming perennial that can develop broad, attractive clusters.

Showy goldenrod blooms in late summer and into fall. It produces tall, dense clusters of tiny yellow flowers that form dramatic vertical spikes reaching high above the rest of the foliage. Plant these in a naturalized area or pocket prairie garden, and you will indeed have a very showy goldenrod specimen!

Zigzag Goldenrod

Close-up of a flowering Solidago flexicaulis plant in the garden. This plant possesses slender, arching stems that exhibit a distinctive zigzag or flexuous pattern. The lance-shaped leaves, with finely serrated edges, are arranged alternately along the stems. Small, bright yellow flowers form in loose, terminal clusters.
This woodland perennial thrives in sun or partial shade, forming attractive clumps.
botanical-name botanical name Solidago flexicaulis
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 1 – 3 feet
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 3 – 8

The zigzag goldenrod, also known as the broadleaf goldenrod, is an herbaceous perennial native to the central and eastern United States and eastern Canada. This plant grows well in full sun or partial shade, but as a primarily woodland species, it is likely to perform best with at least some shade. It prefers medium-moisture, well-drained soil. 

Zigzag goldenrod has broad leaves with densely ridged edges. The flowers bloom from mid-summer until early fall. There are a few small clumps of flowers along the upper parts of the leafy stems, with a loose spike of yellow flowers at the top. This is a clump-forming plant that will look best if allowed to develop into small clusters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are goldenrods weedy?

Goldenrods are very diverse plants. They spread both by seed and by underground runners. There are indeed some varieties that will spread very quickly and have weedy tendencies, while others are much better behaved and tend to form clumps rather than try to take over your landscape. If you have a large naturalized area to fill, look for a goldenrod variety that spreads faster. If you want to keep your goldenrod contained in a smaller area, opt instead for a less aggressive variety.

Does goldenrod cause allergies and hay fever?

Goldenrod is often mistakenly accused of causing allergies and hay fever. Goldenrods bloom late in the summer and into fall, at the same time as ragweed and other less conspicuous plants that do cause seasonal allergies due to their wind-blown pollen. Goldenrod pollen, on the other hand, is not wind-blown. Goldenrods are, in fact, insect-pollinated and make excellent flowers to attract valuable pollinators to your landscape.

Are goldenrods easy to grow from seed?

Goldenrod plants are very easy to grow from seed. Seeds can be directly sown in the garden in the fall, winter, or early spring. Be aware, however, that if you want to grow any cultivars, you should start with a nursery-grown plant. Seeds from cultivars may not grow true to the parent plant. Any variety of goldenrod can also be easily propagated by the division of mature clumps. Don’t dig any native plants from the wild, but ask your gardening friends if they have any plants to share!

Final Thoughts

Goldenrods are often overlooked as garden plants, but they can add tremendous value to many diverse landscape settings. If you are growing plants for a pollinator garden, to attract bees and butterflies, to create a native wildflower landscape, or to produce cut flowers, try one of the many varieties of goldenrod. These plants are showy, easy to grow, and widely adaptable to different environmental conditions. Their cheery yellow flowers add some bright, late-season color to any landscape.

Share This Post
A beautiful sloped garden features a natural rock path and swathes of purple and yellow-blooming ground cover plants.

Gardening Tips

19 Tips for Gardening on a Hill or Slope

Wondering how to plant a garden on a steep hill or a slight slope? Well, it’s not the same as growing on flat ground. Check out gardener Briana Yablonski’s tips to help avoid erosion and end up with a beautiful hillside garden.

A close-up of an Oregon grape plant showcasing vibrant yellow flowers. The blooms, adorned with tiny buds, illuminate the frame. The leaves, lush green and slightly serrated, complement the blossoms, while the sturdy stems support the delicate blooms.

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Oregon Grape

Are you curious about planting and growing your own Oregon grape plant? Oregon grape is a fascinating and useful landscaping plant native to the Pacific Northwest. In this article, gardening enthusiast Liessa Bowen will discuss the proper care and maintenance of these spectacular plants.

A close-up of goatsbeard reveals delicate, white flowers with feathery petals. The leaves are broad and serrated, adding texture to the composition. The background is a lush canvas of vibrant green leaves, providing a natural setting.

Ornamental Gardens

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Goatsbeard

If you need a showy background plant with feathery floral plumes, goatsbeard is the perfect low-maintenance native perennial. In this article, former organic farmer Logan Hailey digs into all the details you need for planting and tending this easygoing, bushy species.

Close-up plan of a garden with deep pink Astilbe blooming. Astilbe features feathery and finely divided plumes of flowers that rise above its lush, fern-like foliage.

Gardening Inspiration

25 Beautiful Plants for A Firewise Landscape

As wildfire seasons get longer and more intense, you need landscaping plants that retain moisture and reduce burnable fuel near your home. Former organic farmer and horticulture expert Logan Hailey digs into 27 gorgeous firewise plants for a variety of climates, aesthetics, and uses.

Composting for beginners. Close-up of two gardeners shoveling fresh compost from a compost bin into a small wheelbarrow in the garden. The compost container is tall, plastic, black. The wheelbarrow is green.

Gardening Inspiration

Compost 101: How to Start Composting for Beginners

With so many bins, methods, and theories, composting can seem like complex mysticism. What do you add, what shouldn’t you add, and how do you make your compost like that rich, quality stuff you can buy at the garden store? Former organic farmer Logan Hailey demystifies the composting process using reliable science and layman’s terms.

Defying winter's chill, a cluster of radiant Winter Aconite flowers blossoms against the weathered roots of a tree, their vibrant yellow hues illuminating the slumbering woodland scene. Their cheerful presence signifies the spring's reawakening.

Houseplants

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Winter Aconite

With winter aconite in your garden, you’ll always have something to look forward to in late winter to welcome the spring season. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains everything you need to know about growing these wonderful winter plants.