Rough Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)
[sol-ih-DAY-go roo-GO-sah]

Deciduous Perennial Upright in the Asteraceae Family
A vigorous, wrinkle-leaved goldenrod that tolerates wetter soil than most of its relatives.

Solidago rugosa, Rough (Wrinkle-Leaved) Goldenrod, is a vigorous native perennial named for its deeply veined, wrinkled-looking leaves. Erect, hairy stems (1-5 feet tall) carry showy clusters of small yellow flowers from mid-summer into fall, with small plants forming narrow, raceme-like clusters and larger plants developing broad, spreading panicles.

It tolerates moister conditions than many goldenrods, thriving in average to wet, slightly acidic soil, including clay. Fibrous, rhizomatous roots allow it to form spreading colonies over time, making it a good choice for rain gardens and naturalized wet meadows.

Pros

  • Tolerates wetter, clay soils better than most goldenrods
  • Vigorous and reliable bloomer into fall
  • Good for rain gardens and wet meadows

Cons

  • Spreads by rhizomes and can form colonies
  • Can be tall and may flop in rich soil
Why Like One of the better goldenrods for damp meadows and rain gardens, extending pollinator support well into fall in sites too wet for most other goldenrod species.
Highlights
  • Deeply veined, wrinkled leaf texture gives the species its common name
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 5 feet tall. 18 - 30 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Sun, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Wet
Bloom Period August to October
Flower Color Yellow
 

Plant Club Content
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Joe Pye weed, swamp milkweed, and other moisture-tolerant native companions.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2024 : 09/05 - 09/08


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

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