Solidago juncea , or Early Goldenrod, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae family. It is easy to grow and low maintenance once established. It does well in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun and tolerates poor, dry soils including soil with high clay content. It is a forgiving plant and is often found along roadsides and rocky banks, or in open woods. Goldenrod is sometimes blamed for the pollen that causes hay fever, however, that pollen and its irritating symptoms are actually caused by ragweed ( Ambrosia species), whose pollen is airborne when goldenrod is in flower. As the common name suggests, this is one of the earliest blooming goldenrods, beginning to bloom in July and continuing through August. It is an attractive, slender plant with a delicate appearance. To extend the bloom period, remove spent flower clusters. Early Goldenrod displays a large number of small, bright yellow flowers borne in dense, plume-like panicles on the ends of stiff, narrow-leaved stems that typically grow to 2 to 4 feet tall. The plant is hardy and can take over a small space. To manage growth, you should divide plant clumps every 2 years. Because the genus Solidago contains over 120 species with similar traits and flowers, this particular plant may be confused with one of its many cousins. Early Goldenrod is moderately deer resistant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf rust is an occasional problem. 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); Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Smooth leaves. Lower leaves are large, narrow, toothed, up to 8 inches long and 1½ inches across, becoming much smaller as they ascend up the stem. Sometimes there are tiny hairs along the margins, otherwise the leaves are hairless. The leaves are sessile or taper gradually to a petiole-like base. Above their axils along the central stem are small wing-like leaflets. tapering into a long, margined stalk.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Blooms from July to October. Branched panicles of small bright yellow flowers on the ends of stiff stems that often arch upward and outward like a fireworks display. There are numerous yellow composite flowers, each about ¼" across. From 4 to 12 ray florets can be observed around the disk florets, often unevenly spaced and not open at the same time.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
The central stem is slightly ridged, hairless, and green or reddish.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North America
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Early Goldenrod flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. 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. Songbirds are attracted to the seeds.