Solidago caesia

On a wooded ridge in September, yellow blossoms arch brightly across the forest floor as though tracing the paths of unseen woodland sprites. The blossoms belong to wreath goldenrod, and as for the sprites - indeed, they are present, clad in black and yellow and buzzing from bloom to bloom. With its arching form, this flower of the forest doesn’t match the common notion of a goldenrod. But like other goldenrods, wreath goldenrod is beloved by bees and a wide range of other pollinators. Bumble bees and metallic green sweat bees are some of the most frequent visitors. In the garden, wreath goldenrod grows well under part shade to shade and in soil moisture ranging from moderate to moderately dry. This plant is an especially good choice for drier woodland gardens, where it works well in combination with white wood aster and white goldenrod. Research into goldenrod habitats and bloom times shows some of the ways these plants compete with one another for pollinators’ attention. When two gol