Solidago elongata

Common Names

Cascade Canada Goldenrod, West Coast Goldenrod, West Coast Canada Goldenrod, Canada Goldenrod, Goldenrod, Western Goldenrod

Summary

West Coast goldenrod is a rhizomatous perennial native to western North America, typically 25 to 150 cm tall with erect stems. It has proximal cauline oblanceolate leaves and dense heads of bright yellow flowers arranged in thyrsiform or paniculiform inflorescences, usually 11 to 15(17) heads, flowering from August to October and forming large colonies via underground rhizomes.

In cultivation, it grows in sandy or gravelly soils in habitats such as coastal headlands, thickets, open woods, meadows, and along streams, at elevations 0 to 2800 m, with a preference for full sun and moderate water; it spreads gradually by rhizomes and seed to form colonies and is suitable as groundcover, and for bee- and butterfly-friendly landscapes, habitat corridors, and native wildflower plantings, with moderate maintenance.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-5 feet

Spread

3-6 feet

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun. Tolerates partial sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist to moderately dry, well-drained sandy or gravelly soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils; moist to moderately dry.

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Late Summer to Fall

Foliage Color

Matte green or grayish green

Fall Foliage Color

Matte green or grayish green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division (underground rhizomes)

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds.