Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) Solidago rugosa
Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) (Solidago rugosa) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Fields, wet meadows and woodland edges of eastern North America. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Fields, wet meadows and woodland edges of eastern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous. Goldenrod is insect-pollinated and does not cause hay fever; ragweed, which flowers at the same time, does.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’)
- How far apart should I plant Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’)?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) flower?
- From about August for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous. Goldenrod is insect-pollinated and does not cause hay fever; ragweed, which flowers at the same time, does.
- What grows well with Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rough goldenrod (‘Fireworks’). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Xerces Society pollinator conservation resources (regional plant lists and habitat guides), The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Notes and assumptions
- Arching sprays of tiny golden flowers like exploding fireworks (the selection ‘Fireworks’) in early autumn. Goldenrods feed more kinds of caterpillars and late-season bees than almost any other North American flower; this one spreads less than Canada goldenrod.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus