Golden Inside-out Flower
Vancouveria chrysantha
Care
part shade
low
0–0ft tall
Resistant
Friendly
Prized
Northwestern California from Humboldt to Josephine County (Oregon border), below 3000 ft in redwood and mixed evergreen forest.
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your golden inside-out flower in partial shade - a spot that gets dappled light or morning sun works well in the Bay Area. This native thrives in dry conditions, so choose a location with good drainage and space plants about 1-2 feet apart if you're creating a groundcover patch. Plant in fall or early spring to give the rhizomes time to establish before summer heat arrives.
After Planting
Water moderately during your plant's first growing season to help it establish, then taper off as it matures - this species is drought-tolerant once settled in. Expect delicate yellow flowers to appear in spring to early summer on tall, upright stems. The plant will die back in winter as it's a deciduous perennial, which is completely normal; just leave it alone and let it rest. The biggest mistake is overwatering: remember this plant evolved in dry mountain chaparral, so err on the side of dry rather than wet.
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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Ornate shrew is a Species of Special Concern
Wildlife Supported
Birds
Ground foraging for insects among forest understory plants during migration and winter residence
Insects
Early season foliage browsing during plant emergence
Mammals
Forages on herbaceous layer vegetation, year-round food source
Ground-level foraging for insects among leaf litter and foliage