• Photo of Solidago caesia (Solidago caesias)

Plant Profile: Solidago caesia

Taxonomy: Solidago caesia

Names

Axillary Goldenrod, Bluestem Goldenrod, Blue Stemmed Goldenrod, Goldenrod, Woodland Goldenrod, Wreath Goldenrod

  • Photo of Solidago caesia (Solidago caesias)

Phonetic Spelling:so-li-DAY-go KESS-ee-uh

Genus:Solidago

Species:caesia

Family:Asteraceae

Bluestem Goldenrod is a wildflower belonging to the Asteraceae family. This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a height of three feet and features vibrant clusters of yellow flowers that adorn greenish-purple stems during the summer and early fall. Recently, goldenrods have been mistakenly associated with hay fever; however, the symptoms are actually triggered by ragweed (Ambrosia species), which releases airborne pollen at the same time goldenrod is in bloom. Unlike some other goldenrod varieties, this species does not spread as quickly or aggressively, making it an excellent choice for native gardens, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, or woodland settings.

**Fire Risk:** This plant has a medium flammability rating.

**Seasons of Interest:**
- **Bloom:** Late summer, fall
- **Fruit/Seed/Nut:** Fall

**Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:** There are no significant issues with insects or diseases, although rust may occasionally occur.

**This plant may be confused with:** Other goldenrod species, Solidago spp.

Solidago caesia Feature Summary

Solidago caesia Image Gallery

Tags

#showy flowers
#fall flowers
#wildlife plant
#yellow flowers
#native perennial
#honey bees
#nectar plant
#cottage garden
#specialized bees
#food source
#fire
#medium flammability
#NC native
#summer flowers
#deer resistant
#goldenrod
#native garden
#pollinator plant
#native wildflower
#wildflower garden
#larval host plant
#food source fall
#NC Native Pollinator Plant
#food source herbage
#food source nectar
#food source pollen
#bird friendly
#food source hard mast fruit
#butterfly friendly
#FACU Piedmont Mountains
#FACU Coastal
#pollinator garden
#bee friendly
#woodlands
#wavy-lined emerald butterfly

Similar Plants

Solidago caesia is often confused with:

Solidago caesia Feature Summary

Attributes
Central and eastern North America
This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Solidago support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) braccata, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) canadensis, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.
Bluestem goldenrod is moderately deer resistant.
Perennial
Wildlife Food Source
medium flammability
Fruit
Displays from September to November
Flowers
Scattered clusters of tiny yellow flowers with 3-5 rays form in axils of leaves along the length of the stem with terminal clusters being the largest. Blooms from August to October.
Gold/Yellow
Leaves
Blue to purple stem; 2-5 in. smooth, slender, stalkless, toothed, sharply pointed lance-shaped leaves with feather veins; tapers at both ends
Lanceolate
3-6 inches
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Native Plant
Wildflower
Herb
Clumping
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
Stem
Purple/Lavender
Blue
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Cottage Garden
Native Garden
Deer
Wet Soil
Dry Soil
Woodland
Meadow
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Specialized Bees

Solidago caesia Attributes

Solidago caesia: Country Or Region Of Origin

Central and eastern North America

Solidago caesia: Wildlife Value

This plant supports Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata) larvae. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Songbirds eat the seeds. Members of the genus Solidago support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) braccata, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) canadensis, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, Perdita (Perdita) octomaculata, Melissodes (Eumelissodes) fumosus, Colletes simulans, and Colletes solidaginis.

Solidago caesia: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)

Bluestem goldenrod is moderately deer resistant.

Solidago caesia: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Solidago caesia: Play Value

Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer

Solidago caesia: Fire Risk Rating

extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability

Solidago caesia Fruit

Solidago caesia: Fruit Description

Displays from September to November

Solidago caesia: Display/Harvest Time

Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter

Solidago caesia Flowers

Solidago caesia: Flower Description

Scattered clusters of tiny yellow flowers with 3-5 rays form in axils of leaves along the length of the stem with terminal clusters being the largest. Blooms from August to October.

Solidago caesia: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow

Solidago caesia: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Solidago caesia: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Solidago caesia Leaves

Solidago caesia: Leaf Description

Blue to purple stem; 2-5 in. smooth, slender, stalkless, toothed, sharply pointed lance-shaped leaves with feather veins; tapers at both ends

Solidago caesia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Solidago caesia: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Solidago caesia: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Solidago caesia: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Solidago caesia: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Solidago caesia: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Solidago caesia: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Solidago caesia Whole Plant Traits

Solidago caesia: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Solidago caesia: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Solidago caesia: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Solidago caesia: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Solidago caesia Cultural Conditions

Solidago caesia: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Solidago caesia: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Solidago caesia: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Solidago caesia: NC Region

Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont

Solidago caesia: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b

Solidago caesia Stem

Solidago caesia: Stem Color

grass
Blue
grass
Purple/Lavender

Solidago caesia: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Solidago caesia Landscape

Solidago caesia: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Solidago caesia: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Solidago caesia: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Solidago caesia: Attracts

Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees