California Goldenrod (Solidago velutina ssp. californica) is a vibrant perennial herb that brings life to the garden when many other plants are going dormant. Producing masses of yellow flowers in late summer and fall, this fast-growing native provides a critical energy source for pollinators late in the season.

Found throughout California in open, grassy places up to elevations of 7,500 feet, this adaptable plant features slender, wand-like flower stalks that can reach up to 5 feet tall. It is a favorite of birds and pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies, making it a bustling hub of activity in the autumn landscape. A very garden-tolerant and easy species, it thrives in a variety of conditions but requires room to roam due to its spreading nature.

Key Features:

• Late-Season Blooms: Delivers masses of golden yellow daisies from late summer through fall, extending the garden's color palette.
• Pollinator Hub: Birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects love this plant, making it essential for wildlife gardens.
• Fast & Tall Growth: Grows quickly, producing impressive flower spikes that stand 2–5 feet high.
• Erosion Control: Spreads by creeping rootstocks to form good-sized colonies, making it excellent for stabilizing soil and groundcover.
• Adaptable Native: Thrives in heavy clay with minimal water but can also grow aggressively in lighter soils.
• Pollinator-Safe: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, promoting a healthy ecosystem for pollinators and wildlife.

Available in sets of three, six, or 12 plants to suit any garden size.

Why Choose California Goldenrod?

California Goldenrod is the perfect solution for the "late-season gap" in many gardens. When spring and summer blooms fade, this plant explodes with golden color, keeping your landscape vibrant and your local pollinators fed. It is incredibly easy to grow and garden-tolerant, preferring wet winters and dry summers. However, because it spreads via creeping rhizomes, it is best suited for areas where it can naturalize freely or serve as a functional groundcover for erosion control.

Planting Tips:

1. Location: Plant in a sunny area. It is found naturally in open, grassy places and thrives in full sun.
2. Watering: Likes to be wet in winter/spring and dry in summer. It is drought tolerant, but providing some supplemental summer water will keep it blooming longer.
3. Maintenance: Give it room to spread. It spreads slowly in heavy clay soils but has the potential to spread aggressively in lighter soils, especially with regular water. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving the stems standing in the fall offers overwintering sites for beneficial insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged. 

For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center. 

Add California Goldenrod to your landscape for a showy, easy-to-grow finale to the growing season that supports wildlife and stabilizes your soil.

Shipping Range:

• CA

Zip Code Verification: Our plants are grown regionally to thrive where you live and help local wildlife. Confirm availability for your area using the zip code checker near the add to cart button above.

Returns: Due to the nature of our products, we are unable to offer order cancellations, returns or exchanges. In order to guarantee your satisfaction, all plants are covered by our Plant Guarantee.

*To ensure your plants arrive healthy, we may delay shipments to certain areas during times of extreme temperatures, natural disasters, or other conditions that will impact the plants during transit

Sizing: At the time of shipment, our plants have a developed root mass and emerging foliage around 4-8” high.

Recommended container sizes (in width) for container planting: