Showy Goldenrod - Solidago speciosa
 
Solidago speciosa, common name Showy Goldenrod, is a care-free native perennial that grows best in well drained, dry to medium moisture soil. It will grow in poor soil and reaches 3-4′ in height with 2-3′ spread. Large yellow clusters of flowers mature in mid to late summer. As the common name suggests, this species is perhaps the showiest of our native goldenrods. Golden rods have been wrongly accused of causing hay fever, because their pollen grains are too large to be windblown. Allow Showy Goldenrod to naturalize in full sun where they are a valued pollinator and host plant species. Due to their late-season bloom time, Goldenrods provide a highly valuable late-season nectar source for butterflies and native bees! Plant alongside native grasses and asters.