Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'
Fireworks Goldenrod
Item #: 1032
Zones: 5a to 9b
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 40" tall
Origin: United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' is a 1993 introduction from retired NC Botanical Gardens' Ken Moore that has withstood the test of time and is still regarded as the top goldenrod of all times. Originally selected from an NC Coastal Plain population of Solidago rugosa, it was rated #1 in the goldenrod trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden. From a slowly spreading rhizome, the stalks emerge upward in late spring, topping out at 3' tall. In mid-August in NC, the clumps are showered with 18" long, arching spires of brilliant yellow flowers held well atop the foliage...attractive to hummingbirds. The flowers resemble fireworks or literally bombs bursting in air...one of the finest additions to the fall garden! Native bees and wasps will thank you for such a great pollinator plant.
Maintenance:
In the garden, Solidago 'Fireworks' goldenrod requires little maintenance. We prefer to cut the stalks to the ground in early winter to prevent reseeding. If a small amount of reseeding isn't a problem, then leave the stalks until late winter for the birds to feed on.
In extremely dry summer conditions, plants can be attacked by spider mites, but in irrigated conditions, this doesn't usually occur. Growing
Growing Conditions:
Average to moist soils seems to give the best garden performance in our trials. We have found it to grow equally as well on clay as in sandy soils, as long as the plants receive more than two hours of full sun daily.
Garden Value:
To see a clump of Fireworks goldenrod burst into flower in fall is truly an amazing site, during in a bit of a flowering lull in the garden.
Natural Impact:
As mentioned earlier, it's a superb pollinator plant.
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Other Attributes
Genus: Solidago
Flower Color: Yellow/Gold
Leaf Color: Green
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Cottage Garden Plants , Green Roofs , Living Wall
Other: Butterfly Attracting Plants , Cut Flower Plants , Drought Tolerant Plants , Florida Native Plants , Georgia native plants , Hummingbird Plants , Pollinator Plants , Medicinal Plants , North American Native Plants , North Carolina Native Plants , Plants that Attract Birds , Rabbit Resistant Plants , RHS Award of Merit Winners , Texas Native Plants , United States Native Plants