Sulfur-flowered buckwheat is a perennial sub-shrub native to western North America. It has rounded evergreen leaves and produces bright sulfur yellow flowers from late spring to summer that attract pollinators. It is drought tolerant and well-suited for hot, dry conditions in gardens, making it a sensible substitute for non-native water-wise plants. As a habitat plant, it provides food and cover for birds and small animals. Sulfur-flowered buckwheat requires full sun, rocky soil, very occasional water, and little other maintenance once established.

1. Sulfur-flowered buckwheat – Eriogonum umbellatum (air-ee-OG-oh-num um-bell-LAY-tum)
Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
Native to: Western North America from British Columbia to California, East to WY and NM, including
Western CO; dry, open, often rocky places, shrubland, forests from sea level to alpine (to 13,000 ft).
Growth characteristics: perennial/sub-shrub mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Spreading sub-shrub whose characteristics vary greatly among its many varieties and sub-species.
Stems may be half-woody. Leaves are rounded, evergreen with some water, sometimes hairy when
young. Leaves primarily basal but not entirely so. Slow to moderate growth – may live 20+ years.
Long taproot makes it drought tolerant.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms in late spring/summer, May to July/August. Flowers are a bright sulfur
yellow (lemon yellow) turning orange with age. While individual flowers are small, they are densely
clustered on stalks; flowers appear to float above the foliage. Very attractive in bloom, particularly
when massed. Color really ‘pops’ against other foliage colors.
Uses in the garden: Another attractive buckwheat for water-wise gardens. Fine for hot, dry
conditions, containers. Combine with other buckwheats for contrasting color; use with natural
associates like Yarrow, Goldenrods, warm-season native grasses for habitat. Native peoples used
leaf tea for colds/stomach aches & poultice/dried leaf powder for rheumatism, burns, skin pain.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native buckwheats, small non-native water-wise shrubs.
Attracts: Excellent habitat plant: provides nectar for bees (including native), butterflies and other
pollinators. Provides cover and seeds (food) for seed-eating birds, small animals.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Sun to very light shade.
Soil Most, although prefers rocky; any local pH. to 9.0
Water Very occasional (Water Zone 1-2);
Fertilizer Not needed
Other Inorganic mulch or very thin (1 inch) organic mulch when establishing.
Management: Pretty low maintenance plant. Doesn’t like hot, humid conditions. Cut off dead
flower heads in fall, when birds have eaten the seeds.
Propagation: from seed: may need 60 day cold/moist treatment by cuttings: ??
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 11, 21, 23, 40, 42 6/10/2022
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