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see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!
Rough-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago rugosa) is a perennial native to Canada, common in damp meadows, ditches, and forest edges. It typically grows 60 cm to 1.5 metres tall and forms dense clumps from a short rhizome. Its sturdy stems are often reddish at the base and covered with fine hairs. The foliage, rough to the touch, is medium to dark green. In late summer, it becomes covered with hundreds of small golden-yellow flowers arranged in branching, arching panicles, creating a bright, dense display from late August to October. Hardy and tolerant, it grows in moist to wet but well-drained soils and also adapts to medium soils in sunny garden settings.
Furthermore, goldenrods (Solidago spp.) are considered keystone plants for biodiversity, supporting a multitude of pollinators from late summer into fall and providing essential resources for many species of insects, birds, and small animals well into the season.
Medicinal and culinary uses
The aerial parts of rough-stemmed goldenrod have been used in infusions for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Dried flowers can also be used to flavour light infusions.
Ecological roles
Rough-stemmed goldenrod is an essential late-season food source for a wide diversity of pollinators, including bees, bumblebees, hoverflies, and several butterfly species. It also attracts many beneficial predatory and parasitic insects. Its dry stems provide winter shelter for small invertebrates, while its seeds feed some seed-eating birds. In both natural habitats and urban plantings, this species contributes to soil stabilization and supports biodiversity late in the season.
Rough-stemmed goldenrod seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.
Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.
Sowing and Growing
Technical Details
Seeds per packet:
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific name: Solidago rugosa
Life cycle: Perennial
Hardiness zone: 3
Soil type: Sandy to clayey
Soil moisture level: Medium to humid
Soil - additional attributes: Well-drained
Light: Sun, part shade
Blooming: August to October
Spacing: 30 cm
Height: 150 cm
Deer resistance: High
Stratification: 60 days
Scarification: No
Germination time: 7 to 14 days
Sowing depth: Surface