Solidago californica

A spreading, semi-evergreen perennial. California goldenrod provides a great burst of brilliant yellow in the late summer through fall, just when you think the bright colors of spring and summer are long gone. Their abundant small flowers lined up along the top 6?12" of wands that can reach up to 3' in length If happy, this perennial will expand into ever-larger clumps through creeping rootstocks that can help curb erosion. They go mostly dormant in winter, which is a good time to cut them back to the ground. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Goldenrod is a companion plant, playing host to some beneficial insects, and repelling some pests. Goldenrods only began to gain some acceptance in American gardening (other than wildflower gardening) during the 1980s. Solidago californica was intoduced into cultivation by Theodore Payne. Found in woodland margins, grassland, disturbed soils. Communitites located in Coastal Sage Scrub, Northern Coastal Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland Between 0 and 7500 feet.

When I saw this Solidago I was quite taken with the lovely bright flower clusters & also the attractively whorled bluish-green leaves. The golden flowers contrast nicely with the glaucus foliage. It will also attract pollinators like native bees & butterflies to the garden, as well as provide seed for birds. Blooms late Summer-Fall just when you need something punchy in the garden. Grows 2-3’ tall & can spread indefinitely - an excellent plant for erosion control. Native to much of California including the Bay Area. A deciduous perennial, cut back in Winter. A lovely mid-border plant, it would look great with other Fall-bloomers like Dahlias, Rudbeckias & Salvias for a wildlife garden bonanza! Drought tolerant but blooms longer with some water.