goldenrod Interesting Notes

Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ is a compact, cascading, clump-forming native cultivar with a radiating flower form that really looks like fireworks! In 1993, ‘Fireworks’ was selected and named by Ken Moore of North Carolina Botanical Garden in and introduced by Niche Gardens. Growing 3-4’ tall and spreading 2-3’ wide, ‘Fireworks’ is a tough and robust selection of Solidago rugosa and was top-rated in the Chicago Botanic Garden Solidago Evaluation. Flowers begin their dazzling display by late August and are a welcome addition for late season color and to lure the butterflies in your garden.

In the wild, Solidago rugosa is a highly variable species growing in open moist areas such as low woods, meadows, old fields, pine barrens, and bogs from Newfoundland to Georgia and west to Michigan, Missouri, and Texas. It prefers locations in full sun in average to moist soils that are well-drained. It is more tolerant of wet soils that other goldenrod. Wrinkleleaf goldenrod is generally very pest and disease resistant and can spread by creeping rhizomes or seed. It may be cut back to encourage rebloom before a hard frost.

The ‘Fireworks’ in our gardens has been a reliable performer for years. Situated in two spots—one in lean, part-shade and the other in full-sun and in a bed built atop an old mushroom soil dump area, ‘Fireworks’ performs brilliantly in either location. It is covered in a wide variety of insects, including small bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, skippers, and beetles once it begins to flower. S. rugosa is a larval host plant to several moth caterpillars and leaf beetles. Several small bird species feast on the seeds as they begin to ripen including Indigo bunting and goldfinch. 

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' Growing and Maintenance Tips

Prefers moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. More tolerant of wet soils than others. Propagate by seed or division. Cut back to encourage rebloom. We find it best used in a meadow, butterfly or wildflower gardens.

Good Substitutions

Solidago sphacelata 'Golden Fleece'

Solidago graminifolia

Solidago odora