California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

California Buckwheat
Jason Hollinger, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Native Plants A-Z

Alaska Oniongrass (Melica subulata)

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)

Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea)

Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

Blue Wildrye (Elymus glaucus)

Blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)

Bush Monkey Flower (Diplacus aurantiacus)

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

California Bee Plant (Scrophularia californica)

California Brome (Bromus carinatus)

California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)

California Fescue (Festuca californica)

California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)

California Hazel (Corylus cornuta californica)

California Hedge Nettle (Stachys bullata)

California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica)

California Phacelia (Phacelia californica)

California Pipevine / California Dutchman’s Pipe

California Poppy (Eschcholzia californica)

California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

California Wax Myrtle (Morella californica)

Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculat)

Coast Buckwheat (Eriogonum parvifolium)

Coastal Bush Lupine (Lupinus arborous)

Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)

Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa)

Crevice Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha)

Dense Sedge (Carex densa)

Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana)

Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum)

Firecracker Brodiaea (Dichelostemma ida-maia)

Foothill Sedge (Carex tumulicola)

Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry (Ribes speciosum)

Giant Chain Fern (Woodwardia fimbriata)

Giant Wild Rye (Elymus condensatus)

Golden Currant (Ribes auraum)

Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)

Gum Plant (Grindelia hirsutula)

Hooker’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri)

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)

Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis)

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

Leopard Lily (Lilium pardilinum)

Milkmaids (Cardamine californica, Dentaria californica)

Pacific Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense)

Pacific Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande)

Eriogonum is a keystone species for sagebrush scrub ecosystems and an excellent choice for wildlife and butterfly gardens. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant.

California Buckwheat flowers in early spring, and its blossoms are similar to the blossoms of Baby’s Breath used in floral arrangements. These white buds gradually turn russet-colored by fall. The Buckwheat flowers seem to last forever and commonly stay on until the following spring. It requires less care and watering than any other native plant.

This hardy native attracts many pollinating insects, solitary bees, flies, predatory bees, hairstreaks, and small butterflies. It becomes popular with small birds and quail for its seeds in the fall.

Planting Buckwheat makes an excellent addition to drought-tolerant and rock gardens and is stunning near stone and brickwork. It has a wild and unique texture for most of the year.

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

KEY DETAILS

Plant Type

Shrub

Light

Full sun

Soil

Loamy soils

Size

Bloom Time

Spring, summer, fall

Sun Exposures per day

Shade:  Less than 3 hours of direct sun

Part shade: 3-4 hours of direct sun

Part Sun: 5–6 hours of direct sun

Full Sun:  Receives 6+ hours of direct sun