Goldenrod, Bog - Solidago uliginosa

Solidago uliginosa, also known as Bog or Fall Goldenrod, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the U.P. The unique thing about this goldenrod is that it likes it wet. Perfectly adapted to the rich bogs, fens, swamps, marshes, and wet meadows of the U.P., it is not above enjoying life and adding riches in a ditch or retention pond.
 
Bog Goldenrod likes slightly acidic, moist soils in full sun, but it tolerates light shade and wet to medium soil. This is a rhizomatous, spreading plant, so make sure the plants that surround it are equally vigorous, like New England Aster, Cutleaf Coneflower, or Steeplebush. Varies in height depending on conditions from 2 to 5 feet. When planted in a moist depression, the plant may reach 5 feet, but the visual effect is less because a portion is below the observer's elevation, meaning this lovely plant is not usually visually obtrusive.
 
Bog Goldenrod is deer resistant. Attracts butterflies and moths, as well as bees. Often has an attractive red stem that is overshadowed by the tight plumes of showy yellow flowers in late summer to fall. 
 
All goldenrods are keystone species - meaning they host essential numbers of moth and butterfly caterpillars. Those caterpillars fuel the ecosystem by feeding birds and other animals, or by producing the massive numbers of pollinators (moths) that are needed to feed everything from birds to bears to bats and other animals, as well as to pollinate and allow the plants to reproduce.
 
Goldenrod is often wrongly accused of causing hay fever, or seasonal allergies. Most seasonal allergies are caused by ragweed, an unnoticeable green plant which is wind-pollinated and whose sole purpose in life is to fill the late-summer air with pollen. Goldenrod takes the blame for ragweed's crimes just because it is beautiful (noticeable) and happens to bloom at the same time. However, goldenrod pollen is not in the air.  Goldenrod is insect-pollinated. It has evolved elaborate measures to get its pollen to stick to pollinators. Goldenrod pollen does not blow around on the wind. Put the blame where it belongs. Feel free to give ragweed the side-eye while filling your garden with lovely, does-not-cause-seasonal-allergies goldenrod.