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Early Goldenrod

Solidago juncea

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Medium to Dry
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Yellow
Notes
Aggressive, Rhizomatous

About Early Goldenrod

Early Goldenrod is a welcome harbinger of the goldenrod season, often beginning its vibrant display as early as July. This easy-to-grow perennial typically reaches heights of 2 to 4 feet, characterized by smooth stems and narrow, willow-like leaves. Its crowning glory is the broad, flat-topped or slightly arching clusters of tiny yellow flowers that provide a stunning splash of color through late summer. Native to a variety of habitats including dry fields, open woods, and prairies, it is one of the most drought-tolerant goldenrods, making it ideal for sunny, well-drained garden sites. Its early bloom time makes it an invaluable resource for native bees and butterflies, ensuring they have a reliable food source throughout the mid-summer months. Early Goldenrod can spread by rhizomes to form colonies, making it a great choice for naturalizing in meadows or larger borders. It thrives in full sun and average to poor soils, requiring very little maintenance once established.

Native range

Native to 31 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeVirginiaVermontWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Solidago juncea

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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