Coast Goldenbush ~ a Hearty Year-round Shrub ~ Part I: Learning from Community-engaged Restoration

Nature Notes:  

an occasional column describing the beauty and wonder of nature on the Los Angeles coast, especially focused on the greater Ballona Wetlands Ecosystem

by Marcia Hanscom

During the past four years, Ballona Institute has had the honor and pleasure of leading a community-engaged restoration of a portion of the historical Ballona Wetlands ~ at Grand Canal Lagoon.  The Ballona Wetlands' Grand Canal Lagoon is in the northern-most area of the Ballona Valley where an approximately three-mile long lagoon, separated to the ocean by an equally long sand bar, still exists, although is in various stages of being restored to its former glory - before the oil drilling, general trash dumping and other insults were hurled its way.

Through this experience, which - during the first year of planting had a great deal of my focused attention, I learned so much about a collection of some of the beautiful and varied native plant species that historically graced our coastal shores.

One of the plant species I came to appreciate most is Coast Goldenbush ~ Isocoma Menziesii ~ one of the heartiest species of transition marsh edge plants.  The Coast Goldenbush requires some water near its roots, but due to its evolving in our arid land, once the plant is firmly rooted, no water beyond our annual rainfall, is needed.    If you are interested in helping our region, and your own property's budget, in saving water, then this plant is one to consider including as a staple of the garden.*   

What is especially nice is that it is hearty and green all year long, and it blooms bright yellow flowers at a time when a number of other native plants are in their dying back stage.  As Buckwheats are turning from rust to brown, this bright yellow-flowered plant can emerge to announce "it's still summer," even though days are growing shorter.  

Another interesting thing I observed during the past four years of working and monitoring this restoration project site is how many pollinators are buzzing about and loving the flowers of this beautiful plant species.   Butterflies, bee flies, native bees and so many more insects are regular visitors of the sweet, yellow flowers.   And this is the first species of those that were planted that reproduced on its own, which is a showing of success of restoration.  It's not just a garden, but a genuine, wild slice of nature now!

*for info about how you can even receive up to $4,000 for converting your water-hogging lawn or exotic landscape to a more environmentally-friendly alternative, check out this rebate site from the Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power - LADWP: 
https://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/faces/wcnav_externalId/r-cs-newsletr-cafriendly-incentive?_adf.ctrl-state=qhjugp6c3_160&_afrLoop=500185009930767

© 2013, Marcia Hanscom & Ballona Institute