Coast Goldenrod, Creeping Goldenrod
Solidago spathulata

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

Solidago spathulata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Found in a wide range of habitats from coastal sand dunes to inland and alpine areas.

Western N. America - California to Oregon.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves and flowering stems - cooked. Seed - used as a thickener in soups etc. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest. A tea is made from the leaves and flowers.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The flowering stems are antiseptic, haemostatic and salve. An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic. A poultice of the toasted, powdered leaves has been mixed with oil and used in the treatment of mumps.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.

Other

Rating: 1

Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Ground cover, Specimen, Woodland garden. Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Judging by the plants native habitat, it is likely to be tolerant of maritime exposure. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. A rather greedy plant, it is apt to impoverish the soil. The plant attracts various beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and hoverflies to the garden, these insects will help to control insect pests in the garden. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers, Extended bloom season in Zones 9A and above.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on for their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in spring or early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Solidago simplex Kunth ssp. simplex var. spathulata (DC.) Cronquist