Solidago spathulata

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Solidago spathulata
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:8
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:2'
Blooms:Early Summer-Early Fall
Native to:
Shelter
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Solidago spathulata (common name: coast goldenrod)

Propagation: 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.

Cultivation: Succeeds in any moderately fertile moisture retentive soil in sun or semi-shade[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Judging by the plants native habitat, it is likely to be tolerant of maritime exposure[K].

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[1].

A rather greedy plant, it is apt to impoverish the soil[2].

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[3][4].

Range: Western N. America - California to Oregon.

Habitat: Found in a wide range of habitats from coastal sand dunes to inland and alpine areas[5].

Edibility: Leaves and flowering stems - cooked[6].

Seed - used as a thickener in soups etc[6]. The seed is very small and fiddly to harvest[K].

A tea is made from the leaves and flowers[6].

Medicinal: The flowering stems are antiseptic, haemostatic and salve[7][6]. An infusion of the dried powdered herb can be used as an antiseptic[7]. A poultice of the toasted, powdered leaves has been mixed with oil and used in the treatment of mumps[8].

Usage: Mustard, orange and brown dyes can be obtained from the whole plant[7].

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  2. Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  3. Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
  4. Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  5. Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
  8. Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.