​Solidago caesia, Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod

The latest blooming of the goldenrods in the spaces I work with, I first encountered them in a White Pine forest ecosystem, happily growing under a mixed species canopy among sedges and ferns at my Perth place. Their open, lacy structure in that setting is quite distinct from the other Goldenrod species in the area and their bright yellow flowers catch the eye in the dark woods.

I also found out last fall that they grow surprisingly well in sunny settings, after a friend asked if I knew the species of Goldenrod that had volunteered in her garden. The very bushy plant, buzzing with pollinators on a hot September afternoon had a much denser form than the plants in the woods but was definitely the same species based on their smooth, glaucous stems (a blue tone created by a powdery layer that you can rub off with your fingers), their narrow, pointed leaves and the flowers held in clusters along their stems.

They grow to around 3’ tall and will form a loose clump of a similar width. As a late blooming species, their foliage remains full and green through the summer. Even before they come into bloom, their upright stems with their long, narrow leaves add an interesting texture to shaded garden settings.

They thrive in dappled shade and average soil conditions and are as popular with pollinators as the rest of the Goldenrod family, with the added advantage of blooming after a lot of other pollen and nectar sources have mostly faded away for the year, especially if they are growing under the shade and shelter of a tree canopy.

I originally encountered the forest patches in today’s photos a few years ago and have been able to gather seeds from them that have since grown into blooming plants. If you have received this species from me, either as seeds or as seedlings, they are decedents of these plants.

If you are planning a perennial plant community to introduce to forest-like growing conditions, some lovely companions for this species include Virginia Thimbleweed, Canada Columbine, Wild Basil, Bottlebrush Grass, White Wood Aster, Large-leaved Aster, White Rattlesnakeroot, Hairy Beardtongue, Carpenter’s Figwort, Heartleaved and Calico Asters and Woolly Blue Violet.