Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1-3 Feet

Mature Spread

1-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Blue Stem Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) is an excellent source of bright color in your yard later in the growing season. Small, graceful, arching sprays hold up clusters of tiny yellow flowers. This perennial is a desirable source of late-season pollen for butterflies and bees; it’s also deer resistant and drought tolerant. Bluestem grows well in horticultural zones 4-8. This plant is native to the Midwest and Eastern North America from Quebec and Ontario to Florida and Texas. This Goldenrod is usually found in rich woodlands where oaks or other deciduous trees dominate.

This plant blooms spring through fall with tiny, yellow, daisy-like flowers in loose clusters held aloft on wiry, greenish-purple stems. The stems are covered with lance-shaped, medium-green leaves about 2 to 5 inches long. Blue Stem Goldenrod is often found in woods and around bluffs. Its other names include Wreath Goldenrod or Blue-stemmed Goldenrod. Blue Stem Goldenrod grows to a height of 1-3 feet, and has a spread of about 1-3 feet. This low-maintenance, hassle-free plant has no serious pest or disease issues, and is drought tolerant once established.

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod Care

Plant Blue Stem in semi-shade gardens, open woodland gardens, borders, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, native plant and wild gardens, and meadows. This Goldenrod is not too fussy about soil and tolerates dry, clay, or otherwise poor soils. Blue Stem Goldenrod prefers moist, well-draining soil types; clay, loam, and sand mixtures, and dry to medium-moist soil are all suitable. Provide a layer of compost on the soil around your Goldenrod during the springtime. This plant prefers full sun to part-shade conditions.  Ensure that the plant gets at least three hours of direct sunlight per day at minimum. In dense shade, stems may arch or bend so that pruning may be needed. 

Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod Spacing

Space your Blue Stem plants one foot apart. This goldenrod is an excellent choice for an informal, wildlife, or shade garden. Blue Stem Goldenrod plants are also commonly planted in pollinator gardens for nectar that lasts late into the growing season. Groupings of Solidago caesia make a bold statement in landscapes; space each plant about 2 feet apart. These shrubs are often planted in water-wise perennial borders, restoration areas and even roadsides because of its medium salt tolerance!