- Category
- Forb / Wildflower
- Sun
- Full to Shade
- Soil moisture
- Medium-Wet to Medium
- Bloom time
- Jul–Oct
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Notes
- Calcareous
About Round-leaved Goldenrod
Round-leaved Goldenrod, also known as Rough-leaved Goldenrod, is a distinctive wetland specialist that brings structural elegance and late-season brilliance to damp landscapes. This perennial is easily identified by its large, broadly oval basal leaves, which possess a unique sandpaper-like texture on the upper surface. Growing between two and five feet tall, it features stiff, angular stems that support spreading branches of small, bright yellow flower heads from August through September. Native to fens, swamps, and wet meadows across the eastern United States, it is an ideal choice for rain gardens, pond edges, or consistently moist garden spots. The flowers serve as a vital nectar source for late-season pollinators, including various bees and butterflies, while the plant itself acts as a host for several moth species. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and preferring rich, organic soils, Round-leaved Goldenrod offers a bold foliage contrast to the finer textures of sedges and ferns, making it a standout performer in any wetland restoration project.
Native range
Native to 30 states:
County range map

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