Solidago uliginosa aka Bog Goldenrod

Solidago uliginosa, or bog goldenrod, is in the daisy family. It comes from eastern North America. This plant lives for years but has no woody stems. Its range runs from Newfoundland and Quebec west to Minnesota. It reaches Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana to the south. In the mountains, it reaches Tennessee and North Carolina. Wild plants grow in bogs, marshes, fens, and wet meadows. They also grow at the edges of water.

Plants reach 2–5 feet [0.61–1.52 metres] tall in gardens. Their spread reaches 2–4 feet [0.61–1.22 metres]. Stiff stems stand upright. Rhizomes, which are stems beneath the soil, spread out. The green leaves grow in turn along the stems. Each leaf has one smooth, narrow, lance-shaped blade. Shallow teeth line the edges of the lower leaves. These lower leaves reach 0.83–1 foot [0.25–0.30 metres] long. Upper leaves are smaller, reaching about 0.17 feet [0.05 metres]. Their bases clasp the stems, which have no scent. The plant sheds its leaves at the season's end.

Small yellow flowers bloom from August through October. They form plume-like panicles, or branched flower clusters, atop stems. These clusters can reach 0.58 feet [0.18 metres] long. Their shape varies, but many are narrow. Green leaves give the main show before the flowers bloom. The late flowers add color to moist garden sites. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visit the blooms. The plant also feeds the young of wavy-lined emerald moths. Seeds form in fall, and songbirds eat them.

Bog goldenrod grows best in full sun but takes light shade. It likes soil with a mild acid level and steady moisture. It can grow in average soil but favors boggy ground. Moist to wet sites suit it better than dry ones. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 4–8 for this species. NC State gives a wider range of zones 3–8. Both sources say the plant needs little care. Gardeners can grow new plants from seed. Plants may also self-seed once they have settled in.

Bog goldenrod suits wet areas left wild and gardens for wildlife. Its rhizomes help it spread where the site suits it. Missouri Botanical Garden does not call this spread invasive. Deer may browse it, though it has some deer resistance. Serious pests and diseases seldom cause trouble. Rust, powdery mildew, and leaf spot can still occur. NC State gives the plant a medium fire risk. The supplied sources do not say whether humans can eat it. They do not establish whether it is toxic.