Eriogonum fasciculatum ‘Warriner Lytle’
An interesting form of California buckwheat introduced by the Theodore Payne Foundation. Grows quickly into a low and spreading evergreen groundcover clothed with small, needle-like leaves, 18 inches tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. From late spring to early fall, tight clusters of creamy-whitish pink flowers appear which are very attractive to bees and butterflies. As the flowers go to seed they gradually turn dark russet and are attractive to seed eating birds and mammals. Excellent for dry slopes where it will grow in full sun to light shade with good drainage. Quite drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum giganteum
Native to the Channel Islands of Southern California, this buckwheat can grow to be a very large mounding shrub with gray felted leaves, 4 - 5 ft. tall and wide. The flower stalks have large, flat sprays of cream-colored to pale pink flowers in summer and are prized by arrangers of dried bouquets. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies and birds enjoy the seeds. Best in sunny well-drained sites. Drought tolerant but in hot inland situations they look best with occasional deep waterings in summer.
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
A small, colorful, and highly ornamental native perennial for a sunny spot. Low mounds of grey-green foliage feature flower stems up to a foot tall with rounded heads of intense rosy-pink. Buckwheats have substantial wildlife value, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies, larval food for butterflies, seeds for birds and cover for many creatures. Drought tolerant once established and appreciates decently draining soil. An excellent rock garden plant.
Eriogonum latifolium
Native to our coastal bluffs, this perennial forms neat mounds of silvery white foliage under 1 ft. tall. Flowers develop in dense pom-poms and are creamy white to pinkish. Tolerates sun, wind and drought once established but needs decent drainage. Provide occasional summer irrigation to keep them looking their best. Buckwheats have substantial wildlife value, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies, larval food for butterflies, seeds for birds and cover for many creatures. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum nudum
Few natives are as excellent a source of nectar for bees and butterflies as the buckwheats. This widely distributed species is known for its elegant flower displays on naked stems rising one to three feet above low mounds of grey-green leaves. Naked buckwheat has flower pom-poms ranging in color from white to pink set on slender stems in open clusters up to twelve inches wide. Blooms from late spring into early autumn. Provide full sun to very light shade in soil with decent drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Generally deer resistant.
Eriogonum nudum – robust form
This buckwheat came to us by way of Ginny Hunt and her seed company Seedhunt. Collected from a local race (Santa Cruz area) of naked buckwheat where the flower stems rise to 5 foot or more! Naked buckwheat is the most widely distributed species of buckwheat, growing throughout the state. Forms low mounds of foliage with tall, slender, naked stems, topped with clusters of white to pinkish pom-poms. Plant in full sun to very light shade with good drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Important pollinator plant. Said to be deer resistant.
Eriogonum nudum – soft yellow form
This seed strain of the naked buckwheat hails from a particularly robust population found in blue oak savanna, in the foothills of Tehama County. It has soft, buttery-yellow inflorescences, rather than the more common white or soft pink flowered forms. 3-5 feet tall, chunky stems topped with soft yellow, pom-pom shaped flower clusters emerge from a low, narrow, evergreen rosette of rounded leaves from May-August. Provide full-sun, good soil drainage, and little to no water once established. Native bees and butterflies enjoy the flowers. Great for rock gardens. Drought-tolerant.
Eriogonum nudum ‘Ella Nelson’s Yellow’
The naked buckwheat has the widest distribution of all the buckwheats, occurring from the coast to timberline in the mountains. This interesting seed strain was collected by Eric Nelson along the middle fork of the Eel River in Mendocino County and named for his grandmother. Instead of the more common white or pink flowers of the species, this strain has beautiful yellow flowers. The spoon shaped leaves which form a low rosette are grey green on top and white and wooly beneath. Late spring brings a multitude of small, bright yellow flowers carried on the bare, leafless stems 18-24 inches above the foliage. Best on well drained soils in full sun where they are drought tolerant once established. Buckwheats are highly attractive to nectar feeding insects. Deer resistant.
Eriogonum parvifolium ‘Moss Landing’
Native to coastal bluffs of the central and south coast. Forms a mounding shrub 2 ft. or more tall by 2 – 3 ft. wide with thick, dark green, triangular shaped leaves often with a reddish tinge, and white and woolly beneath. Round pom-poms of white to pink flowers over a long period late spring and summer, fade to an attractive russet brown. A natural for coastal areas where it grows fast in full sun with good drainage and is very drought tolerant once established. Inland, a little afternoon shade is recommended. Looks great on slopes or draping over walls. An important pollinator plant, appealing to a wide array of insects. In its native range, the rare and endangered El Segundo blue butterfly relies exclusively on this species in all stages of its life cycle. Deer tolerant.
Eriogonum umbellatum
Intense yellow flowers in flat-topped clusters sit atop short stems above grey to green foliage. Ranging in height from 10 to 18 inches, this highly variable and widely distributed California native is an excellent addition to the drought tolerant garden. Provide decent drainage and occasional to no irrigation once established. Full sun to light shade. Just like all buckwheats, this species is loved by bees and butterflies. The foliage is deer resistant but they may nibble the flowers.
Eriogonum umbellatum var. aureum ‘Kannah Creek’
Selected from the Kannah Creek region of Western Colorado, this durable perennial will make a fine addition to the dry garden. Forms low mats of leathery leaves 12-24 inches wide, which turn shades of red and purple in the autumn. Masses of bright yellow flowers on stalks 12-15 inches tall appear late spring to early summer and deepen in color to orange as they age. Plant in full sun to light shade with occasional to little water. Drought tolerant once established. Buckwheats attract an array of beneficial insects, provide pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for birds.
Eriogonum umbellatum var. polyanthum ‘Shasta Sulphur’
A striking selection of the sulphur flower buckwheat. Great choice for a dry sunny border or rock garden with decent drainage. Grows 1 1/2 ft. tall and up to 5ft. wide. Smothered with clusters of intensely yellow flowers in spring which fade to orange russet then coppery brown. Needs full sun to bright shade and is drought tolerant once established. Buckwheats have substantial wildlife value, providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies, larval food for butterflies, seeds for birds and cover for many creatures. The foliage is deer resistant.
Eriogonum vimineum
Here is an ANNUAL buckwheat found throughout much of California, growing on gravely and volcanic soils. Summer brings showy domes of rose-pink flowers held on wiry stems 18 inches above small clumps of basal leaves. Buckwheats are excellent for attracting beneficial insects providing pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies and seeds for birds. Plant in full sun with little water once established. Good container plant too.
Eriophyllum confertiflorum
Native to dry sites in many plant communities of California. Forms a mound of pale green, finely cut foliage with woolly undersides 12-24 inches tall. Late spring and summer brings domes of bright golden yellow daisies in dense heads. Tough little shrublet for the dry garden in full sun where its interesting fine-textured foliage provides a useful contrast to grasses and bold-leaved shrubs and perennials. The flowers provide nectar to bees and butterflies. Needs good drainage.
Erythranthe (Mimulus) cardinalis
Native to wet areas throughout the West, this robust perennial can easily grow to more than 2 ft. tall and wide. Tubular scarlet flowers are a hummingbird favorite and are very showy. Plant in sun to part shade with ample water. Perfect beside a pond, stream or water feature. Trim as needed to keep tidy. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds.
Erythranthe (Mimulus) dentata
Native to coastal streams and wet shady places in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, north to British Columbia.Handsome bright green leaves with toothed margins,6-15 inches high spreading by slender rhizomes to form perennial patches.Late spring and summer brings funnel shaped bright yellow flowers with tiny red dots in the throat, which bloom over a long period. Excellent for any moist shady spot where the cheerful blossoms brighten. A good container plant too.
Erythranthe (Mimulus) guttata
This charming monkeyflower is native to wet places throughout the west. Forms mats of bright green foliage topped with flowering stems of cheerful, bright yellow, tubular flower. Needs regular moisture and full sun to light shade. Seeds about when happy. The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds. Works great in a swale, combined with rushes, Helenium and bee plant.
Eschscholzia californica – cream colored flowers
Smaller in stature than the typical robust orange forms of California poppy, this perennial fits into plantings nicely without overwhelming. Low foliage is ferny and finely dissected and topped with cup-shaped blossoms that are a lovely shade of cream to pale yellow. Best in full sun with dryish conditions. Given the opportunity may seed about. Flowers provide pollen that is favored by native bees, bumbles and honey bees.
Festuca californica
California fescue is a beautiful native bunchgrass often seen cascading down oak studded slopes. Blue-green leaf blades 1 1/2 ft. tall with graceful, airy flower stalks rising another 2 ft. above the foliage. A natural for under native oaks where they receive light shade and little summer water. Accepts full sun near the coast. They are drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant.
Festuca californica ‘Long Canyon’
We selected this unusual form of California fescue from the Trinity Mountains in Northern California. Features remarkably broad, stiff leaves colored an appealing silvery-grey reaching up to about 18 inches in height. In late spring, slender, airy grass flowers rise another 2 ft. above the foliage. Grows naturally in partial shade under oaks where it can be very drought tolerant once established. Similar to ‘Scott Mountain’, but with taller, more silvery foliage. Deer resistant.
Festuca californica ‘Phil’s Silver’
A bunch grass selected from seedlings grown from seed collected almost within sight of the ocean (Shell Beach area, Sonoma Coast). Gray-green in spring, it turns more silver-gray as the dry season progresses. Relatively dense (2 ft. X 2 ft.) foliage with unusually stout and heavy grass-flowers, this robust clone holds up well throughout the season. Its cultivar name is a pun for baby boomers that watched the 50’s show The Phil Silver’s Show, starring Phil Silvers. It prefers good drainage and bright shade inland with little to occasional summer water. Deer resistant.
Festuca californica ‘Scott Mountain’
A Native Sons Nursery selection from Siskiyou County. A good choice for gardens with limited space where the typical California fescue may prove too large. Smaller, stiff. blue-green blades to 1 foot tall with airy flower stems rising to 3 ft. tall. Will accept full sun along the coast but best with light shade. Wonderful understory grass among trees and shrubs or other partly shaded areas. Can stand alone or use in drifts for a wonderful textural effect. Drought tolerant but appreciates a little supplemental summer water. Deer resistant.
Festuca californica ‘Willits Giant’
Living up to its name, this selection is extremely robust, growing twice the size of typical California fescue. Wide gray blades grow in mounds about 3 ft. tall and wide. The grass flowers rise 5-6 feet tall with loose inflorescences dangling from the arching stems. Useful as a specimen or in drifts, this grass serves as a sturdy ground cover in deciduous oak woodlands or other lightly shaded areas. Drought tolerant once established but thrives with occasional summer water. We selected this cultivar from a seed crop collected near Willits, Mendocino County. Deer resistant.
Festuca idahoensis
A modest sized native bunchgrass with beautiful green to blue-green, fine-textured foliage. The blades grow eight inches to 1 ft. tall with flower stems 18 inches to 2 ft. tall. Grow in full sun to light shade. Appreciates some protection from hot afternoon sun, especially inland. Drought tolerant, though a little water in hot regions is helpful. Deer resistant.
Festuca idahoensis ‘Little Bald Hills’
This tidy little beauty was discovered on the south fork of the Smith River in Del Norte County. Soft, blue-grey leaves form a dense little mound about 10 inches high by a foot wide. Airy grass flowers rise another foot with chalky-blue stems. Enjoys full sun near the coast but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot, inland areas. Needs moderate to infrequent irrigation once established. Plant with iris, yarrows and buckwheats to create a little meadow in your own garden. Deer resistant.
Festuca idahoensis ‘Muse Meadow’
Idaho fescue is a widely distributed native bunch grass growing in seasonally dry habitats below 5,000 ft. The cultivar ‘Muse Meadow’ was selected in the Marble Mountains by Nevin Smith of Suncrest Nursery. Forms hummocks of fine-textured blue blades around 6 inches tall, making it one of the smallest native Idaho fescue cultivars. The flower stems are 12 - 18 inches tall and become straw colored with age. Best in well drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Protect from the hot afternoon sun in hot areas. Provide moderate to occasional irrigation. Deer tolerant.
Festuca idahoensis ‘Stony Creek’
From Del Norte County comes this blue-gray native. Tolerant of full sun even inland, getting chalkier with summer scorching, but would prefer some afternoon shade. It grows to about 12 inches by 18 inches, with inflorescences rising to 2 ft in height. Enjoys moderate to occasional water. Good drainage, as its name implies. Deer resistant.
Festuca idahoensis ‘Tomales Bay’
This attractive blue-green selection of our native bunchgrass was discovered in the Nicasio area of Marin County. The soft foliage reaches a height of up to a foot and a width of about 1 1/2 ft.. The inflorescences are smaller than is typical for this species and can grow up to 18 inches tall. Best with full sun near the coast and light afternoon shade inland. Prefers moderate to occasional water. Deer resistant.