Solidago ohiensis Ohio Goldenrod

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has a wonderful map showing the natural range of Solidago ohiensis or Oligoneuron ohioense. This plant has a narrow range, having gifted itself to the Great Lakes area. Sadly, it is considered Threatened in New York State.

Cultivation Information Ohio Goldenrod

Height - 3 to 4 feet Flower Color - Yellow Blooms - August - SeptemberSun - SunHardy Zone - 4 to 6 PerennialSoil - Moist to Medium, Handles ClayFamily – Asteraceae family
First year
Second year
Third year
Goldenrod provides plenty of nectar and pollen late in the fall By Jim Wohl

Wildlife Significance Ohio Goldenrod


Flowers Pollinated by - Honey bees, native bees
Nectar Nourishment -Butterflies, moths, beneficial wasps, Soldier beetles, locust borer adults
Soldier beetles - Feed on both pollen in nectar. As beneficial predictor insects, they earn their keep by feasting on aphids, caterpillar eggs and other garden pest.
Seed - Food for Goldfinches, Junco, Finches, Sparrows,
Insect Seed Dispersal – Don't jump the gun and blame Goldenrod on your fall allergies. The majority of their seed is insect pollinated, unlike wind dispersed Ragweed, which is the true culprit of your discomfort.
Deer - Reports from customers revealed deer did graze on Ohio Goldenrod.
Propagation Notes Ohio Goldenrod
Stratifying Seeds
Stratification - Cold moist storage 60 days - These seeds need light to germinate, so be-careful when plating not to cover them with soil. We used vermiculite to cold store our seed, which doesn't seem to interfere with seed germination.
Seed Population - Each plant produces an estimate of 3,000 seeds. Since Goldenrod are self-incompatible you will need more than one plant to produce viable seed, then you will have more seed than you know what to do with.
Flowering Note - Our first year plants did not flower. Reddish, rhizomes attempting to escape from the bottom of their pots were proof that energy was being diverted to root growth. Which is a good thing, as a healthy root system is one way to ensure plants survive their first winter! Seeds require light and cold moist storage in order to germinate
Seed Provenance Solidago ohiensis
NOG, 2019, present, Native Roots, Ohio 2017