Fireworks - I love this cultivar. I honestly can't say enough good things about it - long bloom season, quick to form a nice clump but very well-behaved, drought tolerant, less prone to losing its lower leaves like other goldenrod varieties I've grown...list goes on. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this plant (if you are, then your standards are probably WAY too high, hah)

Here is a shot of my specimen back in Ohio, growing alongside Physostegia virginiana and Boltonia 'Pink Beauty'

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Here is a shot of plant here in Nebraska as it is right now - I planted it in fall 2007 and it only had about three stems then. (Be kind about the rest of the bed...I'm doing things in stages, working with the existing landscape and none of the perennials have been there more than one season!)

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I bought Fireworks last fall, and this year is the first year I've had to really evaluate it. I am happy with it, but...

I have a lot of native golden rod around my yard, and I really prefer it to the Fireworks. Fireworks is much more delicate and airy, which is nice, but I do think the native has more substance, both in the plant and in the bloom.

That being said, I would recommend the Fireworks. I do have to admit to admiring it's delicacy in the morning light when I'm out in the garden very early.

Sorry I can't help with any other varieties. I've only ever heard of Fireworks and Golden Fleece, with which I have no experience, so I'm not much help otherwise.

:)
Dee

I grew Fireworks from seed last year and love the delicate airy blooms. It is great as a background for other plants. This year I moved some behind my monkshood. Fireworks has just started to bloom so hope it is still blooming when the blue monkshood flowers. Here is a photo from last year.

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Well, what a coincidence! Look what I just found! I've never seen seed for solidago before, and here are four or five different kinds. Scroll down to see.

Hope this helps!
:)
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: solidago at Diane's Seeds

Oops, we posted at almost the same time, mnwsgal! So now twice in about 30 seconds I've heard of starting solidago from seed!

I have some monkshood blooming at the same time as Fireworks, but not in the same bed. My monkshood is in shade, Fireworks in sun. I'll have to try them together. Sounds like a great combo!

:)
Dee

I don't have Fireworks but it certainly looks nice. I do have Golden Fleece and it is similar to Fireworks (at least looks that way in pics) only shorter.

High Country Gardens has Solidago "Little Lemon." I have seen it in bloom at a local nursery, and it was very pretty. If I see it again, I am going to get it!

Pat

Here is a link that might be useful: Solidago

I have baby gold and Fireworks goldenrod here in the Piedmont of Virginia. I much prefer the Fireworks. Even from across the yard, it makes a huge statement, I wish I had a picture to share.

Lazy S's here in Virginia has several Solidago from which to choose.

Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Lazy S's

Sorry my link for "Little Lemon" at High Country Gardens did not go all the way to the desired picture, but if you follow the prompts for Solidago, there is a very nice picture of it.

Pat

Hey, here is a new one Bluestone has (not solidag0) you might want to try. I love heliopsis and rarely give mine additional water. I haven't tried this variety, but want to.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot and dry sites

I have Little Lemon and Golden Fleece. Little Lemon is of course shorter. The bloom on it has more 'substance' than the 'airy' bloom of Golden fleece, and in my W. PA garden blooms much earlier than Golden Fleece. The bloom on L.L. were totally done before G.F. began showing color. I have had both of these for at least 4 years and G.F. has not reseeded to my knowledge, but I think L.L. has. They are in well seperated parts of my yard. In the bed with L.L. this year a tall very native to the area looking Golden Rod showed up. It bloomed at the same time as L.L. It was very pretty and the birds and bees loved it.

Phill173:

I checked out the High Country Garden site and liked it. They offer a lot of flowers and may order from them. Can you tell me about the quality of the plants they send and your general ordering experiences?

What do you think of Golden Fleece planted in front of the tall (6/8 ft.) Zebra (some call it Leopard) Grass? I've never seen Golden Rod in a garden, so can't visualize how this would look.

And how about the mildew problem? Also catalogs don't always give accurate height and width. Will it fit in a three foot bed or will it drape over onto the lawn . . . at which time my husband will surely get the tips with the mower, bless his heart.

I also rate S. 'Fireworks" highly. Long flowering period, spectacular fall bloomer.
The first time I bought what was supposed to be this plant, it turned out to a be a tall (7 foot) goldenrod with wild-type looks and growth habit - very invasive. I'm still rooting it out of unwanted locations. This is a problem with a number of the natives; just too exuberant.

This is the first year I've grown "Little Lemon". Nice enough, but too soon to know how it'll hold up long-term.

This nursery has interesting stock, including a goldenrod no one has mentioned in their "specials"

http://sunfarm.com/specials/

I was just checking this thread out because I'm getting ready to put in an order to High Country Gardens and have been considering the solidagos. Someone asked about experience with High Country Gardens. I've ordered from them several times and have had good experiences. The plants come in good shape and do well. The very, very few times I've had a problem, their customer service has taken care of things right away. They specialize in plants for the Far West--with our blistering summers and alkaline soil. Many of them should work for you in other parts of the country too, especially the South (but you probably have way more humidity than I do in California).

Gldno, that Heliopsis cultivar is beautiful! I'm going to keep that one in mind when Bluestone has their sale next June. This thread has got me looking at buying seeds for more Solidago and Heliopsis.

Eric_oh, it sounds like you purchased Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod). This is a common, rhizomatous goldenrod that is very aggressive - not for the garden. 'Fireworks' is a cultivar of Solidago rugosa, which is also rhizomatous, but apparently the cultivar is not aggressive like the species. Can't believe the nursery or where ever screwed that one up. The clumping Goldenrod species are much better behaved.

It's worth noting, for gardening newbies, that Goldenrod does NOT cause hayfever - it has heavy pollen that is insect pollinated. It is Ragweed, which blooms at the same time, that is wind-pollinated and is the culprit in allergic reactions.

I'm new, how do you post a pic? I have a wonderful picture of my 'Fireworks' goldenrod in full bloom. :)

I've been noticing quite a few threads about the difference of goldenrod, and I wanted to show you a picture of the 'Fireworks' in all of it's glory.
I also suggest "Crown of Rays" which is a smaller variety.

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Wow! How pretty with the daisies!

:)
Dee

Crown Of Rays is an awesome goldenrod. It reseeds, but its beautiful in bloom. Solar Cascade is great too if don't mind a lot of clumping.