Portola Valley, CA
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What’s Blooming Now?October
California Goldenrod
Solidago velutina ssp. californica
California Goldenrod is another locally native, late summer-blooming plant. The bright yellow wands of flowers add a late splash of color, last a long time and make great cut flowers. Plant with California aster and California fuchsia for a late season flower display and source of nectar for a wide variety of butterflies, moths, bees and other beneficial insects.
A very easy deciduous perennial, goldenrod grows rapidly to between 1 - 4 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet wide. It spreads by rhizomes and can attain a good-sized colony.
It loves sun but can tolerate some shade and does well under oaks.
Very drought-tolerant – ideal spot is moist in winter and almost dry in summer.
Great for soil stabilization.
Cut way back after blooms are spent and they will come back the following spring.
Many people think they are allergic to goldenrod, when it is usually ragweed that is the culprit.
Dried leaves and extracts were used medicinally by indigenous Californians to reduce wound infection and inflammation.
Available at many nurseries that carry California native plants.
More information on this plant can be found at Calscape: https://calscape.org/Solidago-velutina-ssp.-californica-(California-Goldenrod)