Euthamia occidentalis (Western Goldentop)

Euthamia occidentalis (Western Goldentop) is a rhizomatous perennial with tall and branched stems clad with long, narrow, gray-green leaves. Blooming from mid-summer to fall, they bear dense, flat-topped clusters packed with bright yellow flowerheads. Western Goldentop provides a nectar source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and is a noted monarch nectar plant for the Rocky Mountain and California Coast regions.

Euthamia occidentalis (Western Goldentop) is a rhizomatous perennial with tall and branched stems clad with long, narrow, gray-green leaves. Blooming from mid-summer to fall, they bear dense, flat-topped clusters packed with bright yellow flowerheads. Western Goldentop provides a nectar source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies, and is a noted monarch nectar plant for the Rocky Mountain and California Coast regions. Adding a bold splash of color in the late-season landscape, Western Goldentop will spread under favorable conditions but does not pose any environmental concern to native plant communities under proper management. Found in riparian areas, coastal salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and wet meadow habitats, Western Goldentop has been used successfully in hedgerows in Central California. It is a good choice for erosion control and wildlife gardens.

  • Grows up to 3-7 ft. tall (90-210 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in moist, well-drained soils. Tolerant of seasonal flooding. Western Goldentop is adapted to a broad range of soil textures and can grow in very acidic soils.
  • A beautiful plant for butterfly gardens, pollinator gardens, along ponds and streams.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Western Goldentop has low palatability to livestock.
  • Native to western North America from Nebraska west to California, north to British Columbia, and south to Arizona and New Mexico.

Requirements

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Solidago – Goldenrods
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)Fall
Height 3'
– 7'
(90cm
– 210cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Midwest, Nebraska, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow