The Late Summer Blooming Flower That Will Attract Hummingbirds To The Garden

As summer fades and the days grow shorter, does your garden feel like its show is ending? Luckily, there's a special plant that can help you extend the season and add some much-needed color to your yard. If you want to host hummingbirds in your garden before their long journey south, you'll need the right late-blooming flowers so they can have an important nectar source. The beautiful bluestem goldenrod (Solidago caesia) is exactly the draw that hummingbirds seek.

A native of woodlands and forest edges throughout much of Eastern and Central North America, it fits in perfectly in a garden setting. Bluestem goldenrod's flowers bloom just as many others are finishing, making it a late-season lifesaver for pollinators. If you're looking for a plant that adds more than just pretty flowers to your garden, consider planting bluestem goldenrod — it helps support wildlife and keeps your yard full of life as the seasons change.

Bluestem goldenrod is an excellent choice for gardeners who are concerned about aggressive plants. Unlike some of its relatives, this species has a clumping habit and won't take over your garden. The plant's stems have a unique purplish color with a white waxy coating that creates a soft, bluish appearance, which gives the plant its common name. The tiny, bright yellow flowers grow in loose clusters along the stem's length, almost like a wreath.

This plant is very easy to grow in USDA zones 4 to 8 and adapts well to various growing conditions. It's even considered one of the best native plants for the Mountain West region. It thrives in part-sun to dappled light, which makes it the perfect choice for a woodland garden or a perennial border that gets some afternoon shade. It can also handle full sun, though it will need more water during dry spells. Once it's established, bluestem goldenrod is drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance choice for locations that don't get regular watering.

The plant's pretty flowers are just one part of its story since bluestem goldenrod provides many benefits for pollinators into the fall season. The flowers bloom from September through October, offering an important food source when other flowers have faded for the season. The flowers attract a wide range of insects, including bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are vital for a healthy garden. With its abundant nectar, bluestem goldenrod is a favorite of hummingbirds as they get ready for their autumn migration.

Even after the flowering ends, the plant continues to be important. Its remaining seed heads are a food source for songbirds, such as the indigo bunting and American goldfinch, throughout the late fall and early winter. By adding this perennial to your garden, you not only get to enjoy the beautiful flowers, but you also help pollinators and birds well into the cooler months.