Solidago caesia (Wreath Goldenrod, Bluestem Goldenrod)

Description

This is 1′-4′ tall and ‘1-2’ wide well behaved native perennial with evergreen basal foliage blooms from August to November attracting Honey Bees, at least 7 genera of Native Bees, Butterlies, Moths, Beetles, Wasps and Flower Flies.  The Xerces Society rates Goldenrods as especially valuable to Honeybees. Since many of the Wasps, Beetles and Flower Flies that pollinate the flowers  prey on or parasitize pest insects,  The Xerces Society emphasize tht Goldenrods upport Conservation Biolgical Control. The caterpillars of over 40 different moths feed on the leaves and/or flowers of Goldenrods. Songbirds hunt the caterpillars to feed their young and feed on the seed that are produced in the fall. Woodpeckers also hunt insects hidden in the stem galls.

Wreath Goldenrod thrives in Average to Moist, Sun to Part Shade ( a little light glancing through the branches is enough.) It slowly spreads to form dense clumps. The flower stalks grow over more than up. It sometimes even weeps down the sides of bluffs. It would make a very cool hanging basket. It is very uncommon near the coast.  We propagated the plants in our nursery from  two native populations in Effingham Co., GA , about 20 to 25 miles from the salt water.

Native to the US States of AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME,  MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, & WV. and the Canadian Provinces of ON and QK.