Goldenrod Seeds - Showy Goldenrod
$4.25
Solidago speciosa
The sunniest blooms in the autumn landscape! One of the most important US native flowers for supporting biodiversity and the food chain, Goldenrod is a must-plant for any garden or open wildflower space. And while there are many varieties of goldenrod, showy goldenrod is a stunner and truly lives up to its name! Lush yellow flowers on sturdy stems around three feet high brighten the landscape from September to November, and are a critical source of autumn food for many pollinators and insects, including monarchs and many native bees.
Showy Goldenrod is not an aggressive spreader like some other types of goldenrod can be. It often gets a bad reputation because it is frequently confused with ragweed, who causes awful fall allergies with its airborne pollen, but goldenrod, like most native wildflowers, does not have wind-borne pollen and does not cause allergies. Common folklore says that goldenrod’s first blooms are exactly six weeks before the first frost. Will tolerate most soil as long as there is enough drainage, but prefers rocky or clay soils.
Seeds germinate best after cold stratification. Press seeds lightly into soil, as they need light to germinate. Full sun. Perennial. 0.5 gram packet contains a minimum of 350 seeds.
- Planting Information
- How to Grow
- Seed Saving
| Average Seed / oz | Seed / 100' Row | Average Yield / 100' Row | Days to Harvest |
| 60,000 | n/a | n/a | 90-120 |
| Planting Season | Ideal Soil Temp | Sun | Frost Tolerance |
| After Last Frost | 70°F | Full Sun | Frost Sensitive |
| Sowing Method | Seed Depth | Direct Seed Spacing | Min. Seeds Per Packet |
| Transplant or Direct Seed | surface | 4-6" | 350 |
| Mature Spacing | Days to Sprout | Production Cycle | Seed Viability |
| 10-12" | 10-21 | Perennial | 5-7 years |
Why Grow Showy Goldenrod
Showy Goldenrod is a keystone plant, meaning it is a crucial plant in the food and reproductive systems of many different animals and insects. Because it is a late season bloomer, from September to November, it provides a source of food at a critical time for pollinators when most other blooms are fading. It is part of the monarch butterfly food system, as well as a part of the food and reproductive system for many insects and moths. These insects and moths, in turn, feed many species of birds throughout the winter and spring. If you want to support local and native wildlife, showy goldenrod is a wonderful place to start!
When to Plant Showy Goldenrod
Direct sow seeds in late autumn to early winter to provide cold stratification, a natural way of “waking up” the seeds by winter cold.
Where to Plant Showy Goldenrod
Goldenrod prefers full sun with good drainage in rocky or clay soils, but will tolerate many soils as long as the drainage is good. They do not like wet feet! It will be happiest in open meadows, fields, and native pollinator gardens with full sun, or at least 6 hours of sunlight.
Suggested native companion flowers: Joe Pye Weed, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Milkweed, Southeast Native Mix, Clustered Mountain Mint, Liatris, Gaillardia
How to Plant Showy Goldenrod
Direct sow seeds on the surface of the dirt in late autumn to early winter to provide cold stratification, a natural way of “waking up” the seeds by winter cold. You can also create this artificially by putting the seeds in a moist paper towel in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks before planting out in early spring. Showy Goldenrod is a perennial, and will come back year after year without much care needed. The seeds are very small and need light to germinate, so covering with a fine cloth will help keep them in place. If you are starting the seeds in containers, bottom water only to not disturb the seeds on the surface.
How Often to Water Showy Goldenrod
While establishing, keep young plants moist but not wet, they do not like wet roots and prefer well-draining soil! Once established, it will survive drought conditions and do not need to be watered.
In late autumn, wait until the seed heads are brown and puffy. Hand pick seeds from the pods, or cut the entire top off and place in a bag and shake vigorously to separate the seeds from the seedheads. These seeds are small, and attached to parachute-like fluff that helps them spread and naturalize an area.