Sweet Goldenrod

Perhaps underused and undervalued, Sweet Goldenrod is a great perennial plant for adding an injection of yellow flowers to the border. Botanically known as Solidago odora, Sweet Goldenrod produces dark green, lance-shaped foliage before its clusters of yellow blooms open on arching stems in late summer. Attracting pollinators from far and wide, it is especially loved by bees and butterflies. Growing to 4 feet tall, it is perfect for adding some height and late-season color to the garden. 

Easy to grow and care for, Sweet Goldenrod is pretty much trouble-free. With a clump-forming habit, it is known to self-seed and is perfect for naturalizing. As a deer-resistant perennial, it is perfect for rural gardens and is loved by wildlife. It is hardy and suitable for growing in zones 4 through 8 and is native to North America. 

Sweet Goldenrod Care

Sweet Goldenrod thrives when grown in full sun, but can also tolerate some partial shade. It can tolerate most soil types but prefers to be grown in a free-draining substrate. Even though it is considered drought tolerant once established, it does require regular watering until it has got its roots down. Sweet Goldenrod can tolerate even poor soils and does not need any extra fertilizing except when grown on very poor ground. 

With a tendency to self-seed, you can remove any spent flowers to stop the plant from spreading if desired. In late winter, the stems can be cut back to the ground and removed to make way for new growth in spring. 

Sweet Goldenrod Spacing

Over time, Solidago odora can reach a height of 2 to 4 feet and width of 1 to 2 feet. If planting this perennial plant en masse, it should be spaced 2 feet apart.

Sweet Goldenrod Information