Goldenrod (Solidago 'Peter Pan')
Solidago 'Peter Pan' Goldenrod is a compact, low-maintenance perennial offering bright yellow blooms late summer through fall.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Solidago ‘Peter Pan’, commonly known as Goldenrod, is a superb choice for adding vibrant, late-season color to any garden design. This cultivar excels due to its manageable stature and dense plumes of bright yellow flowers, which peak in late summer and early fall. Gardeners appreciate Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ for its reliability and its crucial role in providing late nectar sources for pollinators.
This herbaceous perennial is valued for its easy-going nature, thriving in tough conditions where many other bloomers fade. It readily establishes itself in average soils, requiring minimal supplemental care once established. The genus name, Solidago, references historical medicinal uses, though today, its primary value lies in robust, long-lasting floral displays.
The aesthetic payoff of Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ is significant, offering vertical interest and rich color contrast just as summer bedding plants decline. Furthermore, Goldenrod attracts a host of beneficial insects, including bees and butterflies, making it an essential component for wildlife-friendly landscapes. It is important to note that Goldenrod is often incorrectly blamed for causing hay fever; the true culprit is typically wind-pollinated ragweed flowering concurrently.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: August to September
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ in the spring or fall after the danger of hard frost has passed, ensuring it receives full sun exposure for the best flowering potential. This Goldenrod species prefers average, dry to medium soils, provided they are well-drained. While it tolerates light shade, performance and bloom density significantly decrease if placed in deep shade.
Once established, watering needs are minimal; allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Fertilization is rarely necessary, as these plants thrive in average or even poor soils. A key cultural tip for maintaining a tidy appearance and encouraging continuous bloom from this Solidago cultivar is to promptly remove spent flower clusters in the fall.
Good air circulation is vital for success; plant spacing should accommodate its 2-3 foot spread to prevent overly dense situations. In colder regions (Zones 4-6), ensure the planting area is well-drained to prevent winter crown rot. Spring cleanup involves cutting back the old, dead stems once new growth begins to emerge.
Landscape Uses
Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ is an outstanding structural element for late-season interest. Its upright habit and vibrant yellow flowers provide powerful color and contrast within the perennial border, beautifully offsetting blues and purples of autumn bloomers like asters or sedum. Utilizing this Goldenrod allows gardeners to maintain visual impact well into the early fall season.
Due to its drought tolerance and ability to handle clay soils, Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ adapts perfectly to naturalized areas, meadows, or large shrub borders where vigorous, hardy perennials are required. For a striking, low-effort display, group several plants together to create drifts of gold. It also functions well as background texture in wild gardens or along transition areas leading into woodland edges.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Solidago is a genus of about 100 species of perennials from mostly North America with a few species from South America and Eurasia. Commonly called goldenrod they are grown for their bright yellow or gold flowers. They are great additions to fall gardens and are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Genus name comes from the Latin words solidus meaning whole and ago meaning to make in reference to the medicinal healing properties of some species plants. ‘Peter Pan’ features tiny, bright yellow flowers borne in dense, plume-like panicles on the ends of stiff, alternate-leaved stems typically growing 24-36” tall. Late summer to fall bloom period. Good cut flower. This cultivar is also known as ‘Goldstrahl’.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Clay Soil
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
This variety of Goldenrod exhibits generally strong resistance to pests and diseases, contributing to its low maintenance profile. Rust might occasionally appear on the foliage; this fungal issue is best managed by ensuring good air circulation among plants and prompt cleanup of old debris in the fall.
Watch for powdery mildew, especially if air movement is restricted or if plants are crowded. Proper spacing, as recommended during planting, minimizes humidity buildup around the leaves, helping to prevent this common issue. If mildew occurs, a horticultural fungicide can be applied according to label directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Goldenrod suitable for?
Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8.
How large does Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a height between 2 and 3 feet, spreading 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity.
What sun exposure does Goldenrod need?
For optimal flowering and health, Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ requires full sun conditions.
When does Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ bloom?
Expect vibrant yellow blooms on this Goldenrod from August extending into September.
Conclusion
Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ is an invaluable asset for the fall garden, offering reliable, cheerful yellow color and crucial late-season pollinator support with minimal upkeep. This robust Goldenrod cultivar handles dry conditions and poor soils with ease, making it a gardener’s friend. Before planting, confirm that your location meets the full sun requirement and check that your zone falls within USDA 4-8 compatibility.
Companion Planting
When designing borders for late-season interest, Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ pairs exceptionally well with plants that bloom concurrently or slightly later but offer contrasting color or texture. Consider planting it alongside deep purple New England Asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) or late-blooming ornamental grasses whose plumes offer movement against the static yellow mounds of the Goldenrod. Because this plant appreciates good drainage, avoid pairing it with moisture-loving bog plants.
Wildlife Benefits
The abundant bright yellow flowers of Solidago ‘Peter Pan’ are highly attractive to a wide range of native pollinators. Utilizing this Goldenrod supports the ecosystem as insects prepare for winter or migrate. Plant it in groups to create a significant foraging target for late-season butterflies, bees, and beneficial predatory insects looking for sustenance before the first hard frost arrives.
