Solidago californica - California Goldenrod

Solidago californica is a great plant for the back of the perennial border as it often grows to 5 feet tall. Selected varieties stay somewhat shorter, but are no less prone to sending runners in every direction, plantings are easily contained by dividing new starts from the margins after it rains. Solidago californica is also nice for the late season with golden yellow flowers Summer through Fall. The California Goldenrod attracts butterflies including the blues, hairstreaks, skippers, Painted Lady, White Checkered Skipper, Mournful Duskywing and Variable Checkerspot. There is a hairstreak buried in the middle of the flowers on this California Goldenrod. Solidago californica is a solid pollinator used by honey bees and many other nectar dependent insects, this is even more important as the California Goldenrod blooms when little else is Summer into Fall. The flowering season can be extended for another round of flowers by removing spent flowers. Solidago californica does well growing on East exposures often in clay soils. Solidago californica does great near the coast but will probably need additional irrigation or a bit of shade for inland gardens. Solidago californica looks best following a severe Winter trimming to promote new frest growth each season. Solidago californica is native to most of California living in grasslands and in disturbed areas up to 7500 feet elevation.