Bog goldenrod is a herbaceous perennial native wildflower in the Asteraceae family that grows to 4 feet. Yellow flowers appear in a tight clump at the top of the stem in the early fall. Goldenrods have been wrongfully accused of causing hay fever which is actually an allergic reaction to wind-borne pollen from other plants such as ragweed. Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. Seasons of Interest: Bloom: Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Fall Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spot may occur. 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)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Smooth leaf; lower leaves are lance-shaped, shallow toothed, up to 12" long, long leafstalk clasps the stem
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
Plume like inflorescence of yellow flowers. Flower blooms from August to October.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North America
Wildlife value
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, 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) canadensis, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.