Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to livestock and cats if ingested.
Image of Solidago caesia
Source: Scott Detwiler
Solidago caesia

Plant Names

image of Flowering plant
Solidago caesia
Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Verge d'or bleuâtre

Synonyms

woodland goldenrod
wreath goldenrod
solidage verte

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Yellow Bloom Period: Aug - Sep
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
bee host Bee host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod is a versatile goldenrod that can be found growing in both woodlands and clearings. These lovely yellow blooms can brighten up a shady garden corner or adorn a woodland garden path. It is an excellent choice for gardeners who want goldenrod without a large spreading plant.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Solidago caesia
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Solidago caesia

Specialized Bees Supported by Solidago caesia

  • Andrena aliciae
  • Andrena asteris
  • Andrena canadensis
  • Andrena chromotricha
  • Andrena hirticincta
  • Andrena nubecula
  • Andrena placata
  • Andrena simplex
  • Complexe Colletes americanus
  • Complexe Colletes compactus
  • Complexe Colletes simulans
  • Dianthidium simile
  • Megachile inimica
  • Melissodes agilis
  • Melissodes illatus
  • Melissodes trinodis
  • Protandrena andrenoides
  • Pseudopanurgus aestivalis

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Oenothera (Non-Native Primrose)
  • Oenothera biennis (Evening Primrose Cultivars)
  • Oenothera fructicosa (Sundrops Cultivars)
  • Helianthus (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Black Eyed Susan's Cultivars)
  • Rudbeckia Triloba (Brown Eyed Susan's)
  • Echinacea (Coneflowers)
  • NA (Coreopsis cultivars)
  • NA (Non-native False Sunflower)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting:
    • Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Toxic to livestock and cats if ingested.