Solidago nemoralis (gray goldenrod)

Gray goldenrod thrives in full sun in dry to medium soils. It grows to 1–2' tall and wide, making it a good choice for a natural meadow that you want to keep on the shorter side.

Gray goldenrod is native to North America. It is widely found in all U.S. states wholly or partially east of the Rockies. This plant grows in forests, woods, prairies, grasslands, and disturbed areas. The flowers are an essential late nectar source for bees and butterflies and have a variety of insect pollinators, including honey bees, carpenter bees, sweat bees, plasterer bees, sphecid wasps, vespid wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flies. Insects and various caterpillars feed on the foliage. The American goldfinch feeds on the fruits.