Golden yarrow
Eriophyllum confertiflorum
Care
full sun
very low
Medium, Slow; Tolerates clay soil. Tolerates sodic soil..
2–2ft tall , 2–2ft wide
Jan-Dec
Deciduous
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills from Kern County to Modoc County, 500-6000 ft elevation in chaparral and oak woodlands.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant golden yarrow in full sun with well-draining soil - it tolerates clay and even sodic soils, so drainage is more important than soil type. Space plants 2 feet apart since they'll grow into 2-foot-wide clumps. Fall through early spring is ideal for planting in the Bay Area. Avoid soggy locations; this is a drought-tolerant native that hates sitting in water.
After Planting
Water twice a month maximum during your first summer to establish the plant, then drastically reduce - this plant needs very little water once established. Deadhead spent flower clusters to extend the blooming season from winter through summer. The #1 mistake is overwatering; golden yarrow is built for dry conditions and will decline if you treat it like a thirsty garden plant. Expect it to be deciduous and dormant in winter, then regrow from the base.
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
California Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Queen and worker foraging for colony establishment
Primary larval host plant
Larval food plant for caterpillars
Early season nectar source for colony buildup
Early spring nectar for colony founding
Larval provisions and adult nutrition
Pollen for provisioning brood cells
Larval host plant for early season brood
+6 more species