Three-nerve Goldenrod
Solidago velutina
Last reviewed: September 2026
Solidago velutina is a drought tolerant forb that blooms yellow from July through September and thrives in full sun on dry, rocky slopes across the Southwest and intermountain West.
Toxicity unknown
Three-nerve Goldenrod (Solidago velutina) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 5 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
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Three-nerve goldenrod is a compact native wildflower that produces bright yellow flower clusters in late summer. This drought-tolerant perennial forms neat clumps and requires minimal care once established. The foliage dies back in winter and returns each spring.
Growing Three-nerve Goldenrod
Grow Three-nerve Goldenrod in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Three-nerve Goldenrod is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: foundation, mid zone.
- Can look weedy when dormant in winter
- May spread beyond intended area
- Goldenrod name association with allergies despite being pollinator-friendly
Wildlife value
The yellow blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects during the critical late-season nectar period. Seeds provide food for birds in fall and winter.
Common questions
- When does Three-nerve Goldenrod bloom?
- Solidago velutina typically flowers from July through September, producing small clusters of yellow blooms late in the growing season.
- How much water does this plant need?
- It prefers low to occasionally medium moisture and does well in dry soils once established, making it a good fit for xeric or low water gardens.
- What kind of light does Solidago velutina need?
- It grows best in full sun but can tolerate part sun conditions, especially in hotter, drier climates.
- What pollinators visit this plant?
- Bees and butterflies are regular visitors to Solidago velutina, drawn to its late summer and early fall blooms.
- Is Three-nerve Goldenrod HOA-friendly?
- Three-nerve Goldenrod is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Three-nerve Goldenrod? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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