Solidago rigida 'Golden Rockets' is a compact upright goldenrod cultivar known for its sturdy stems and dense plume like yellow flower clusters that bloom late in the season. Unlike more aggressive goldenrods, 'Golden Rockets' maintains a clump forming habit and performs well in smaller garden spaces particularly in prairie inspired or pollinator focused plantings.
Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Average to dry, well drained soils; tolerates clay and rocky conditions
Watering Needs: Low once established; drought tolerant
Deer Resistance: Rarely browsed by deer due to bitter tasting foliage
Native Status
Solidago rigida is native to central and eastern North America and supports a wide range of native pollinators and insects. The 'Golden Rockets' cultivar retains these ecological benefits while offering a more compact and refined garden form.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Highly attractive to native bees, especially sweat bees and long horned bees, that rely on late season blooms for nectar and pollen.
Butterflies
- Supports fall flying butterflies such as Monarchs and Painted Ladies providing critical nectar during migration periods.
Beneficial Insects
- Attracts parasitic wasps, soldier beetles, and hoverflies that help regulate garden pests and pollinate nearby crops.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 18 - 24 inches apart to accommodate upright stems and late season floral display without crowding neighboring plants.
Landscape Placement:
- Perfect for prairie plantings, naturalized borders, or as a vertical accent in pollinator gardens. Performs well in tough dry soils where other perennials may struggle.
Companion Plants
- Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon’s Favorite' - Aromatic aster with deep lavender blue blooms that complement goldenrod in both color and bloom time.
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) - Adds fine textured blue green foliage and fall tones to echo late season goldenrod blooms.
- Liatris ligulistylis (Meadow Blazing Star) - Tall spires of purple attract migrating Monarchs alongside goldenrod's yellow blooms.
- Echinacea pallida (Pale Purple Coneflower) - Elegant drooping petals add contrast to solidago’s upright floral structure.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Mounding habit with finely cut foliage and long lasting golden flowers blend well with solidago forms.