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Eriogonum arborescens (Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat)

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat, Santa Cruz Island Wild Buckwheat

Eriogonum arborescens,  Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat, Santa Cruz Island Wild Buckwheat
Eriogonum arborescens,  Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat, Santa Cruz Island Wild Buckwheat
Eriogonum arborescens,  Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat, Santa Cruz Island Wild Buckwheat

Striking year-round, Eriogonum arborescens (Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat) is an evergreen shrub of compact mounding habit, with fingerlike, fuzzy, silvery-gray leaves at the tips of the branches. Profuse tiny pink and white flowers held in dense, flat-topped clusters bloom for months from late spring to fall. Rich in nectar, they attract bees and butterflies. The blossoms fade to a pretty red rust color, then brown, holding different colors at the same time. They remain ornamental for a long period. The reddish-brown trunk and branches have attractive peeling curls of gray bark. Tough and easy to grow, Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat tolerates very dry conditions and requires little to no maintenance. It is excellent for erosion control and is a great choice for desert or water-wise gardens. The flowers are often cut, dried, and used as everlastings.

  • Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall and wide (60-120 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates clay and alkaline soils. Water every three to four weeks or not at all once established. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for banks and slopes (erosion control), and wildlife gardens.
  • Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds but is deer resistant.
  • Generally pest and disease free.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Native to the Channel Islands of California.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Climate Zones 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Polygonaceae
Genus Eriogonum
Common names Buckwheat
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants California, United States
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens (San Miguel Island Buckwheat)
Eriogonum nudum (Naked Buckwheat)
Eriogonum latifolium (Seaside Buckwheat)
Eriogonum giganteum (St. Catherine’s Lace)
Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur Buckwheat)
Eriogonum fasciculatum (California Buckwheat)

Recommended Companion Plants

Arctostaphylos glauca (Big Berry Manzanita)
Ceanothus (California Lilac)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 10
Climate Zones 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Polygonaceae
Genus Eriogonum
Common names Buckwheat
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants California, United States
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Eriogonum (Buckwheat) to pick?
Compare Now

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