Summary
Solidago mexicana is a stunning garden-worthy species that is typically found in coastal habitats including sand dunes from the mid-Atlantic states to Mexico. Southern seaside goldenrod is a tall, sturdy plant with upright stems that produce loosely conical inflorescences from early October through November. The flowers were favored by pollinators, and the height and late bloom period complements other late season blooming plants such as Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve ‘Bluebird’ (Bluebird smooth aster) and Vernonia angustifolia ‘Plum Peachy’ (Plum Peachy tall ironweed). Solidago sempervirens (northern seaside goldenrod) was also included in the trial and although it is closely related to S. mexicana, it has a more northerly range extending though New England and into the Maritime Provinces of Canada. The two species can occur side-by-side along the mid-Atlantic coast, but S. mexicana proved to be more adaptable to Trial Garden conditions and much more resistant to disease, especially rust, which plagued S. sempervirens in the trial.
Details
- Rating
3.9 (Top Performer) - Common Name
southern seaside goldenrod