Interior Goldenbush
Ericameria linearifolia
Care
full sun
very low
5–5ft tall
Jan-Dec
Resistant
Friendly
Interior chaparral and woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills and inland ranges from Kern to Butte County, 2000-6000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Interior Goldenbush in full sun - this is non-negotiable for healthy growth and those cheerful yellow winter and spring flowers. Space it about 5 feet from other plants, as it will grow to roughly 5 feet tall and wide. Plant in fall or winter to give it time to establish before summer heat arrives.
After Planting
Water weekly during your plant's first summer to help it establish, then gradually reduce watering as it matures into the drought-tolerant shrub it's meant to be. Once established, Interior Goldenbush needs very little water and actually prefers dry conditions - overwatering is the #1 mistake people make with this native plant. Deer won't bother it, so you can relax on that front; just keep it in full sun and let it do what it does best in our Bay Area climate.
Visit Calscape for more information about Interior Goldenbush
Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Some subspecies federally protected; species has state endangered designation
California endangered species; endemic to California
California Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Critical larval food plant; caterpillars feed on foliage in spring
Specialist herbivore; larvae develop on plant tissues year-round
Early spring host plant for single generation
Host plant for caterpillar development; spring phenology
Spring larval host plant; endemic California species
Forages on flowers; year-round blooming of plant provides consistent resource
Spring nesting bee; early season pollen source
Host plant for southwestern checkerspot species
+7 more species