Alphabetical Plant Listing

Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur Buckwheat)

Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat, Sulphur-Flower Wild Buckwheat, Sulphur Buckwheat, Sulphur Flower


A very bright addition to hot, dry gardens, Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur Buckwheat) is an evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial forming a broad mat of woody stems set with small, vertical, spatula-shaped leaves, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), that are green above, white and felted beneath. The foliage warms us to red tones in the fall, extending the season of interest of the plant. Opening from red-tinted buds, brilliant sulfur yellow flowers bloom for months from early summer to fall. They are held in dense, frilly clusters, 4 in. wide (10 cm), atop leafless flowering stalks. They attract many butterflies and bees. The blossoms dry to a pretty red rust color and can be used in dried arrangements. The seeds develop into valuable wildlife food and attract birds. Native to dry rocky soils in rocky forests, foothills, mountain slopes, and mountain ridges of southwestern North America, Sulphur Buckwheat is an exceedingly variable species with many varieties and subspecies. Tough and easy to grow, Sulphur Buckwheat tolerates very dry conditions and is a great choice for desert gardens or water-wise gardens.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-36 in. wide (30-90 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun, in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Needs low amounts of summer irrigation. This plant tolerates drought, poor soils, rocky soils, and high heat.
  • Great for banks and slopes, rock gardens, butterfly gardens, or as a groundcover.
  • Generally pest and disease free. Keep an eye out for rust and powdery mildew.
  • Propagate by seed as it is very difficult to transplant or divide the long taproots of mature plants. No seed treatment is necessary, but a 3-month stratification may improve germination.
  • Native to southwestern North America from southern British Columbia south to California, and eastward to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and New Mexico.

Not sure which Eriogonum - Buckwheat to pick?
Compare All Eriogonum - Buckwheat

Buy Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur Buckwheat)

Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Eriogonum - Buckwheat
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants


Debbie Ballentine,Plant Right, Flickr

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Eriogonum - Buckwheat
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm)
Spread 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Showy, Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Plant Calculator

How many Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur Buckwheat) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Eriogonum umbellatum (Sulphur Buckwheat)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.