California Goldenrod (Solidago velutina) is a showy yellow perennial that is often blamed for the hay fever that many people suffer from in the late summer and fall. But the real culprit is actually ragweed, which blooms at the same time of the year and happens to be in the same botanical family (Asteraceae), but belongs to a different genus and species (Ambrosia artemisiifolia).

Goldenrod is fairly nondescript until summer, but it transforms into masses of golden yellow flowers that come alive with bees, butterflies and other insects. If it is happy where it is planted, this perennial will expand into ever-larger clumps thru creeping rootstocks that can help curb erosion on slopes. (The goldenrod is at the left of the stone wall.) It even grows well in heavy clay soils with minimal water, but has the potential to spread aggressively in lighter soils. Supplemental summer water may keep it blooming longer. It goes mostly dormant in the winter, which is a good time to cut it back to the ground and look forward to seeing it again in the new year.

Very young leaves and shoots can be used as cooked greens in spring.  The leaves can be dried and used to make a soothing tea.  Native Californians also used powdered, dried leaves as a disinfecting powder for skin sores, wounds, burns and rashes. Reportedly a tea made from the leaves was traditionally used for feminine hygiene, and even to prevent hair loss!  

The flowering stems make good pressed flowers that retain their color for years. Flowering stems and leaves can be used to make lovely soft yellow dyes that can be used to color wool, silk or cotton yarn or cloth. 

Quote du jour “A neat and tidy garden is what it looks like — barren and devoid of shelter for bumblebees, mason bees and so many other pollinators. Leaves and other decaying vegetation are an important part of the habitat that supports a diversity of wildlife. Leaving the leaves is just one way to help beneficial insects!” ~ from a UC Davis article