Goldenrod, Bluestem - Solidago caesia

Solidago caesia , also known as blue-stemmed goldenrod, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and is great for adding a splash of color in shade gardens.  Like all goldenrods, it is not wind pollinated and does not cause seasonal allergies.
Bluestem Goldenrod reaches 3 feet tall and flowers from August to November with a yellow blossom. It has a bushy habit with arching foliage, very different than the Tall Goldenrod that springs to mind for most people when they think of goldenrods. Bluestem makes a cloud of yellow blossoms that make a stunning backdrop for similar height asters such as Northern Heartleaf.
It prefers partial sun to full shade, medium to dry soil and will grow in loam or sand. Bloom time is accompanied with a cloud of happy pollinators.
 
According to the National Wildlife Federation, this plant is considered a Keystone Native Plant for our region. 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.