The last goldenrod we'll feature is downy ragged goldenrod, or Solidago petiolaris. This species has fairly large flowerheads and the plant itself can be 3-4' tall. It is a statuesque, well-behaved plant found in the lower Piedmont to upper Coastal Plain... and great for a garden! #nativeplants

There are some shade tolerant goldenrods. Blooming now is blue-stem or wreath goldenrod, Solidago caesia. This perennial grows to about 3' tall but the stems usually arch away from the center so it may not even be that tall; growth habit is clumping so this is very well behaved. (1/2) #nativeplants

This is the one that you see all OVER the side of the road and the one that mistakenly gets blamed for fall allergies. Tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima) is a perennial, rhizomatous native flower that keeps bees and late butterflies very happy as a bountiful source of nectar. (1/3) #nativeplants

Here is the other species with the common name “showy goldenrod.” This is Solidago erecta and it is a well behaved “clumper.” When undisturbed, it produces a single long wand of flowers; if nipped by a deer or broken by accident, it will produce multiple shorter stalks. (1/2) #nativeplants

One of two goldenrods that share the name “showy” goldenrod, Solidago speciosa is a tall, handsome clumping form. The individual flowers are fairly large compared to other species. Native to scattered areas of Georgia, this is one of the earlier blooming species. (1/2) #nativeplants

Gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis) is a clumping goldenrod found throughout the upper 2/3 of Georgia and much of the US. The foliage is grayish and the panicles of tiny blooms arch over. Sometimes called “field” goldenrod, this is one tough plant and grows even in poor, rocky soils. #nativeplants

This is bearded beggarticks (Bidens aristosa), an annual or biennial that blooms in late summer, sometimes in large groups (roadside enhancement!). The lobed foliage is very supple, quite unlike the stiff and unlobed foliage of sunflowers, a quick way to differentiate them. (1/2) #nativeplants

Southern blue monkshood (Aconitum uncinatum) is an uncommon perennial in the buttercup family with a twining habit that almost resembles a vine. It can be found in rich woods in moist habitat. The bright and unusually shaped flowers bloom in late summer in north Georgia. (1/2) #nativeplants

Seaside goldenrod is a coastal species (Solidago sempervirens). This goldenrod can actually grow near the beach and handle salty conditions. It is native along the coast from Texas to Newfoundland. Same great wildlife benefits as all the goldenrods. (1/2) #nativeplants

The goldenrods (Solidago spp) are starting to bloom on the roadside and in fields. With every glimpse of those bright yellow flowers, people with fall allergies are getting nervous. But don’t blame the flowers you see, for goldenrod is not the culprit. (1/3) #nativeplants

Cottony goldenaster (Chrysopsis gossypina) is another species related to the Maryland aster we posted yesterday; cottony goldenaster, however, is strictly a Coastal Plain species but it does overlap the range of Maryland aster. Notice the cottony buds of the unopened flowers. #nativeplants

Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) is native throughout Georgia. This perennial can be found in dry rocky soils such as roadsides and meadows/fields. The deep green foliage is attractive even when not blooming, topped in late summer by clusters of bright yellow flowers. #nativeplants

Taylor County goldenaster (Pityopsis pinifolia) is found only in a few counties, Taylor County included. As indicated by its species name, the leaves are very thin. Here it is blooming next to the petite orangegrass (Hypericum gentianoides), an annual species of St. John’s wort. #nativeplants

Goldenaster is a common name given to 3 different plants in Georgia. All of them are starting to bloom. The first one is also known as silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia), a misleading name as it is not a grass at all but has grass-like leaves (hence the name ‘graminifolia’). (1/2) #nativeplants

Stone Mountain “daisy” (Helianthus porteri) is blooming now. It is actually an annual member of the sunflower family and is naturally found on granite outcrops. Use the Walk Up Trail at Stone Mountain to see it - there is usually a large clump blooming right at the flag stand. (1/2) #nativeplants

Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) is another favorite pass-along plant. The flowers are popular with bumblebees and the occasional hummingbird. This perennial is in the mint (Lamiaceae) family and blooms in late summer/early fall and spreads via seeds and roots. (1/2) #nativeplants

Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) is blooming now and butterflies couldn’t be happier! It lives in ditches where old homesites used to be. It mixes well with fall-blooming yellow plants but make sure you are ready for it to pass itself along to other parts of your yard! (1/2) #nativeplants

Blazing stars are excellent nectar plants in late summer. The large flower heads of this tall blazing star (Liatris aspera) are popular with large butterflies and bumblebees. As part of the Asteraceae family, the flower heads are composed of several small flowers. #nativeplants

Climbing milkweed (Cynanchum laeve) is a twining vine with oppositely arranged, heart-shaped leaves that bloom in late summer. The leaves have more rounded edges than hempvine (featured yesterday). It set seeds in pods. Photos by SRTurner, shared from: vist.ly/479ht #nativeplants

Not all plants in the Asteraceae family are sunflowers and asters. Meet climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens), a perennial vine blooming now. This scrambler will climb over almost anything in its path. It has heart-shaped leaves and rayless flowers in white to light pink. (1/2) #nativeplants

A native grass to consider for designed landscapes is Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), which has a huge native range in the US and is fairly widespread in Georgia. A number of cultivars have been developed as selections from the species. This one is ‘Prairie Blues.’ (1/3) #nativeplants

We don't always notice when grasses are blooming (yes, they do bloom and critters use the pollen). This is lopsided Indiangrass (Sorghastrum secundum), a Coastal Plains species. #nativeplants

Late summer is a great time to notice ripening fruit on native plants. This one, American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), is native throughout the state and the southeast and is a real show stopper when the fruit turns purple (until then it might not even have been noticed). (1/2) #nativeplants

Pink turtlehead (Chelone lyonii) has a limited natural distribution in NW Georgia with reports from Dade and Walker counties. The petals are reliably pink and the foliage has more ragged, toothed edges. There is a popular cultivar called ‘Hot Lips’ so it does get sold more often. #nativeplants

Turtleheads (Chelone spp.), in bloom now, are native perennials in rich woodlands that open up to a bit of sun or on the edges of streams and seeps. It is a larval host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly. It is also very popular with bees. This is Chelone glabra. #nativeplants

This is Southern oak-leech (Aureolaria pectinata) or combleaf yellow false foxglove; the first name references their hemi-parasitic relationship to oak roots. It has scattered distribution throughout Georgia in dry oak forests as well as longleaf pine and turkey oak sandhills. #nativeplants

Time to get your shopping list in order - it's fall plant sale season! Check out our curated list of plant sales from across the state. If you know of any sales that have native plants that are not listed here, please email us at [email protected].

Yesterday we featured an Agalinis. Today’s plant is Aureolaria flava, the smooth yellow false foxglove, and it is blooming now. Species of Aureolaria grow near oaks, and they are partially parasitic on the oaks. (1/2) #nativeplants

Purple false foxglove (Agalinis purpurea) is a showy annual starting to bloom now along with other relatives like Agalinis fasciculata (beach false foxglove). Agalinis species are hemiparasitic on grasses so you’ll find them generally with native grasses. (1/2) #nativeplants

In south Georgia, a bright sunflower is blooming. Known as Florida sunflower (Helianthus floridanus), it does spread by rhizomes and is gorgeous in a big mass. This one was found on a field trip in Brooks County, GA, in a moist open field with bog-loving plants. #nativeplants

South Georgia has amazing native plants and vanilla leaf (Trilisa odoratissima, formerly Carphephorus odoratissimus) is one of finishing up its blooms now. A tall perennial in the Aster family, it is found in Coastal Plain upland sites; this photo is from Brooks County. (1/2) #nativeplants

Silver plume grass (Erianthus alopecuroides, formerly Saccharum alopecuroides) is a familiar roadside perennial grass. It has statuesque plumes that reach up to 8 feet tall. The silvery seed head transitions from a forked-looking structure to a single fuzzy plume. #nativeplants

You can still see some of this fruit hanging around (and some re-sprouting plants are even blooming again). Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a native perennial that can be found throughout Georgia. By now most plants are tall and wide with deep pink stems and dark blue fruit. (1/2) #nativeplants

Muscadine (Muscadinia rotundifolia, formerly Vitis rotundifolia) grapes are ripening now, often first spotted on the ground where they are relished by wildlife. This rambunctious native vine is found across Georgia. Cultivated varieties are bigger and juicier than the wild ones. #nativeplants

There are several species of ragweed in Georgia, and these are the two most common: giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Both are annuals - they come up from seeds from the previous year, bloom, make seed, and then die over the winter. (1/2) #nativeplants

Another roadside plant starting to bloom now is Heterotheca subaxillaris, or camphorweed, a tall annual plant with bright yellow flowers. It has a strong odor to the foliage. It thrives on disturbed soil and produces numerous seeds, making it prevalent on roadsides. #nativeplants

Blooming now on roadsides is a group of perennials called thoroughwort (Eupatorium). While this might look like a dead-end to humans, it is a feast for pollinators! This is Eupatorium serotinum, a perennial that spreads via seeds (not roots); it’s easy to pull out as a seedling. (1/2) #nativeplants

Blooming now, this pink member of the Asteraceae family is often mistaken for Joe pye weed (Eutrochium). But brush up against the foliage and you’ll know you found something else! The foliage has a strong unpleasant scent. Bees and small pollinators are very fond of this plant however. #nativeplants

The fringed orchids are spectacularly showy native plants. This one is yellow fringed orchid (Platanthera ciliaris), blooming in north Georgia, found in places like open meadows and woods. It is one of about a dozen different species of fringed orchids that are native to Georgia. #nativeplants

Another native aquatic plant found in Georgia is duck-potato or Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), a colony-forming perennial that grows to about 3 ft. The long-petioled leaves are arrowhead shaped, and small white flowers are borne on separate stalks. The plant makes starchy tubers. #nativeplants

This is pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), which has been blooming for a while. Native to southern and coastal Georgia, this is a wetland plant being used in a city park that has landscaped with a variety of native plants. It is in a wet area and has grown into a rather healthy clump. #nativeplants

Solidago gigantea is one of the earlier flowering goldenrods that you see in wet ditches or low areas. It gets tall like Solidago altissima but the bloom time is earlier, the flower sprays are more open and the stems near the flowers are smooth. It is rhizomatous (spreading by roots). #nativeplants

Two clematis – one native and one not. Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) is the native vine, with 4 white petals and toothed leaflets (the edges are jagged) in groups of three. Sweet autumn clematis (C. terniflora) also has 4 white petals but the leaflets have smooth edges. (1/2) #nativeplants

Verbesina virginica, also called crownbeard and frostweed, is a tall white roadside flower with winged stems. It grows in moist woodland edges and ditches. The name frostweed comes from its habit of oozing moisture from the stem during the first freeze, creating frozen curls of ice. #nativeplants

Another yellow-flowering relative of wingstem is yellow crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis). Like its relative, it is a tall plant that can be found in moist ditches as well but this one has oppositely arranged leaves. This one was near Carters Lake in Murray County. #nativeplants

A tall yellow roadside flower that you might see in wet ditches is wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia). This perennial can grow up to 8 feet tall and have thick, winged stems. Flowers are daisy-like and occur at the top of the plant. (1/2) #nativeplants

PSA – watch out for stinging caterpillars! August is a prime time for caterpillars to be out and about and the saddleback caterpillar is one of them. While many caterpillars are not harmful to us, caterpillars with stinging hairs or barbs can pack a wallop! They feed from the underside of the leaf.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is just 2 days away! And here's an important update: Due to weather concerns over the Southeast, count officials have added Sunday, August 24 as an additional count date! Check the GNPS calendar for details on local chapter events. #nativeplants #pollinators

Coastal Plain Joe pye weed (Eutrochium dubium) is a compact species that is not actually found in Georgia but we’ll feature it because it does get sold in Georgia, usually as the cultivar ‘Little Joe’ and ‘Baby Joe.’ This photo is credited to Ginger Laurits, from the Wild Seed Project. #nativeplants

Sweet-scented Joe pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) is a smaller species and most often found in north Georgia (there are a few reports in the upper Coastal Plain). It tends to grow in more shade, is not as tall, and has paler flowers than the other two species we’ve mentioned. (1/2) #nativeplants