SWhite goldenrod is a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the aster (Asteraceae) family. It flowers from late summer into the fall and displays an elongated spike of short-stalked flower heads with white to yellowish-white rays surrounding a yellow central disk atop a hairy, grayish stem. This is the only species of Solidago with white rays found on the east coast. White Goldenrod grows well in dry, often poor, soil, in full sun to partial shade, and seems to prefer soil with a heavy clay content. It tolerates drought. Goldenrod species are sometimes blamed for hay fever, but the irritating pollen is actually a product of ragweed ( Ambrosia species), whose pollen is airborn when goldenrod is in flower. This plant is deer resistant. Because this genus includes up to 120 species, most of which display small yellow flowers, this plant can be confused with others of its genus Solidago spp. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No known insect or diseases. More information on Solidago .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Elliptical upper leaves; lower leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, stalked, shallowly toothed and have a grayish down.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooms July through October. Elongated spikes of white to yellowish white ray flowers surrounding a yellow disk flower on very short branches.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern Canada and United States
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. The White Goldenrod flowers produce nectar that attracts butterflies, native bees, honey bees and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Solidago support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) braccata, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.
The leaves and berries contain the poisonous alkaloid solanine; although the toxic quality of the berries seems to disappear with ripening, it is best not to eat them.