Solidago nemoralis aka Old Field Goldenrod

Solidago nemoralis has two common names: old field and gray goldenrod. This wildflower lives for years. It belongs to Asteraceae, the sunflower family. It grows wild in Canada and the United States. Kew places its native range in both countries' central and eastern regions. It grows in dry fields, prairies, open woods, and roadsides. It also lives on rocky slopes and worn, poor ground. It is one of the smaller goldenrods. Garden plants reach 0.5–2 feet [0.15–0.61 metres] tall and wide. Some reach 2.5 feet [0.76 metres] tall.

Each clump has one to six upright stems with no branches. The stems look gray-green and have short white hairs. Narrow, gray-green leaves grow along them, each at a different level. Fine hairs cover the leaves too. The larger lower leaves have toothed edges. Their stalks have flat wings along the sides. Upper leaves are smaller and have smooth edges. Their stalks have no wings. The plant sheds its leaves at the season's end. Before bloom, its leaves form a low mound.

Small yellow flowerheads grow above the leaves in narrow, curved panicles. These are branched groups of flowers. Most heads face up on one side of each panicle. The plumes can bend down and nod in the wind. The cited gardens and regional accounts give different bloom dates. Chicago lists July through October. North Carolina lists August through November. After bloom, hairy achenes take the place of the flowers. These are dry fruits that hold seeds. Bees and butterflies visit the blooms. Songbirds eat the seeds. Wavy-lined emerald moth larvae also use the plant as a host.

Give this goldenrod full sun and soil that drains well. It prefers soil that is a little acidic. It likes dry soil or a moderate amount of moisture. It can grow in light shade, but not well in full shade. It grows well in sandy, rocky, and poor soils. Rich soil leads to taller plants and stronger growth. It resists drought and deer and needs little upkeep. Sources place it in USDA zones 3–9. Meadows and cottage gardens give its spreading roots room. Rhizomes, or underground stems, and seeds help it spread nearby. Remove spent flowerheads before seeds ripen to help limit seed spread.

Serious pests and diseases are not common. Aphids and beetles may feed on it. Insects that form galls may feed on it too. Rust, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and leaf spot can occur. Poor drainage can cause root rot. Plants For A Future lists the seeds as edible. Their small size makes them hard to gather. That source reports no known hazards. This does not prove that the plant is safe. It also records antiseptic use and dyes from the whole plant.