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Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' (goldenrod)

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

goldenrod or wrinkleleaf goldenrod

A compact, cascading, clump-forming native cultivar with a radiating flower form that really looks like fireworks! A great addition for late season color and to lure the butterflies in. Selected and named by Ken Moore of North Carolina Botanical Garden in 1970. Introduced by Niche Gardens.

SIZE
Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' LP50 - 50 per flat Availability
Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' - 50 per flat Availability
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Height

3-4 Feet

Spread

2-3 Feet

Spacing

12-18 Inches

Bloom Color

Yellow

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9

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 spotsone 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

autumn goldenrod Solidago sphacelata 'Golden Fleece'
goldenrod Solidago 'Solar Cascade'
flat-top goldenrod Solidago graminifolia
goldenrod Solidago Little Lemon® 'Dansolitlem'

Key Characteristics & Attributes

Full Sun
Full Sun
Part Sun
Part Sun
Moist
Moist
Pollinator-friendly
Pollinator-friendly
Songbird-friendly
Songbird-friendly
Drought Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Cut Flower
Cut Flower

Additional Information

Soil Moisture Needs
Average
Green Infrastructure
Meadow/Prairie
Erosion Control
Wetland Indicator Status
Falcutative (FAC)
Plug Type
Horticultural Plug
Landscape Plug™
Attributes
Clay Tolerance
Native to North America
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Late Summer
Propagation Type
Vegetative