Goldenrod, Gray
Solidago nemoralis, or Gray Goldenrod, is a herbaceous perennial wildflower native to the U.P., Michigan, and much of the U.S. and Canada. It tolerates drought and dry rocky or sandy soils but prefers dry to medium, well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun, where it typically reaches 2" in height. It can grow in partial but not full shade. Gray Goldenrod is a hardy plant found often in fields, pastures, and roadsides, and it will often grow in poor soils that challenge other plants. Each colony will display a mass of yellow flowers from late summer through the fall and individual plants bloom at various times, extending the flowering season.
This rhizomatous plant will spread and can colonize an area by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding but is not agressive, especially when provided some competition. It is well suited to meadows or larger gardens where it can naturalize and may not be suited to small spaces.
Gray Goldenrod, like other goldenrod species, is insect pollinated and does not cause seasonal allergies. Goldenrods are considered keystone species for habitat, providing abudant late season resources for pollinators, migrating butterfiles, and birds. This goldenrod is deer resistant.
This plant is considered a Keystone Native Plant according to the National Wildlife Federation Keystone Native Plants list for our ecoregion. Plants in this family are used by 120 species of caterpillar as a host plant. Since most birds feed their young almost exclusively on caterpillars during nesting season, utilizing this plant in your landscape also supports birds. This plant family also supports 22 species of pollen specialist bees, making it a great choice for pollinator support.