Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

California goldenrod (Solidago velutina ssp. Californica) is a perennial herb that produces masses of yellow flowers when many other plants are dormant, in late summer and fall. It grows fast and produces many flower spikes up to 5 feet tall.  

Birds and pollinating insects love this plant. Throughout California it is found in open, grassy places up to an elevation of 7,500 feet.

This is a very garden tolerant, easy plant. It likes to be wet in winter/spring and dry in summer but can take extra water. Because it spreads from a creeping rootstock California goldenrod may become invasive; give it room.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

2 - 5 ft Tall

Form

Spreading

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Summer, Fall

Special uses

Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Very Low, Low

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established, Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Soil drainage

Medium

Soil description

Tolerates a variety of soils.
Soil PH: 5.5 - 7.0

Maintenance

Deadhead if you don't like the look of spent flowers, and to control spread by seeds. Dig up runners to control spread.

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 3, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*

Site type

Found in a wide variety of settings and habitats throughout the state, including Chaparral, Central Oak Woodland, Coastal Sage Scrub, Fir/Pine Forest, Subalpine Forest, Foothill Woodland, open, grassy places, and disturbed sites

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Northern Coastal Scrub, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest

Use with complementary flower colors such as Sages (Salvia spp.), Wild Rose (Rosa californica), Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Penstemon species

Bats
Bees
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 39 likely

Confirmed Likely

Adaina montanus

Old Man Dart

Agrotis vetusta

Fall Cankerworm Moth

Alsophila pometaria

Anania mysippusalis