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FIRST IMPRESSIONS:  Solidago fistulosa is the top performer in the Mt. Cuba Center Solidago trials for excellent garden performance and pollinator activity. Photo credit goes to Mt. Cuba Center.

The magic of this species is the adaptability to conditions ranging from seasonally wet to dry soils.  Pine barren goldenrod thrives in sandy and rocky soils and adapts to average garden soils, as well.  This rhizomatous plant can spread well in wet conditions offering water filtration and erosion control.  When grown in average to dry conditions, the growth is easily controlled.  Solidago fistulosa packs some real flower power throughout September and into October, attracting abundant pollinators.

HABITAT & HARDINESS:  Solidago fistulosa occurs in the low-lying Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of eastern North America, stretching from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Louisiana.

Indigenous plants occur in pocosins, swamp forests, wet savannas, wet pine flatwoods, maritime forests.  Typically in moist to wet, or seasonally wet conditions, but also are found in mesic upland sites and disturbed sites.  It is the most prevalent Solidago in Florida.

Plants are hardy from USDA Zones 6-10.

PLANT DESCRIPTION:  Solidago fistulosa has sturdy hollow stems.  Both the stems and leaves are covered with tiny hairs and are rough on the surface.  The leaves are alternate, dense and elliptical in shape.  The abundant small flowers are arranged into larger heads which dazzle on numerous arching branches.   Foliage is a handsome dark green, turning burgundy in the fall.  Attractive seed heads through the winter provide continued interest along with feeding birds.

Plants grow 4-5’ tall with a 4’ spread.

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Solidago flexicaulis does best in full sun, but can tolerate part sun conditions.  It is very adaptable to various moisture conditions, but will not handle extended drought conditions.  Plants adapt well to average garden soil.  The foliage is disease resistant and considered deer resistant.  To support native stem-nesting bees, cut back stalks in late winter or early spring to a height of 8-24″ to leave sturdy hollow stems, which solitary bees use to rear their young.

LANDSCAPE USES:  This is a good choice for a Wildlife Garden. Plants are used as late season Nectar Plants or as part of a Grouping or Mass Planting.   Solidago fistulosa is appropriate for Cottage Gardens, Meadows, Perennial Borders, Roadsides, Wetland Mitigation and Restoration Projects.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS:  Try pairing with other moisture loving species such as Aster novae-angliae, Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Autumn Sun’, Eupatorium perfoliatum.

If a substitute is needed, Solidago rugosa or the selection ‘Fireworks’  provides adaptability to moist conditions and offers late season flowers.

TRIVIA: From The Florida Wildflower Foundation:  The genus name Solidago is derived from the Latin solidus, meaning “to make whole,” and is thought to reference cultural medicinal uses of goldenrod species. The species epithet fistulosa comes from the Latin fistula, meaning “pipe-like” or “hollow” — a nod to the plant’s hollow stems, which are especially valuable as nesting areas for overwintering bees and other insects.