Solidago stricta (Wand Goldenrod)

SunZone: 5-9, at least 72" tall Origin: USA

This great US native is a garden designer's dream. Wand goldenrod is native from MD to TX, where it occurs in sandy pine barrens as well as wet meadows. The cool thing about S. stricta is that when it starts to expand from its winter basal rosette, the leaves along the flowering stem are tightly adpressed (disguised by laying flat against the stem). These stems expand all spring and summer, appearing like a colony of anorexic snakes being lured upward by a magic flute. Starting in October, the top 10" of the "snake" turns to bright yellow as the flowers open. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)