Sulphur Flower Buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Eriogonum umbellatum var. intectum
- Phonetic Spelling
- air-ee-OH-goh-num um-bell-AY-tum
- Description
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Sulphur flower is a buckwheat family perennial native to parts of the western US, where it can be found in dry rocky soils in forests, foothills slopes and mountain ridges. Needing little moisture to perform well, they are suitable for water-wise gardens. Allowing the soil to remain wet can be fatal to this plant.
Individual plants can look different from one another, making it difficult to identify.
It is highly variable in shape and color. The red tinged buds open to reveal yellow flowers that bloom from the summer into fall, giving color to its location for an extended period of time. Flowering occurs at the top of the stems forming dense clusters up to 4" wide. As the blooms dry, they become a rusty color, making them a great addition to dried arrangements.
Its matting habit, spreading to up to 3' wide, make this plant a great ground cover in locations that include hot and dry conditions. During the cooler months, the foliage will turn to shades of red/burgundy, which will extend the season for this semi-evergreen plant.
Propagation is best by planting seed. This plant is difficult to divide due to its long taproots. The roots also make transplanting a challenge.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Powdery mildew and rust are occasional problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eriogonum
- Species:
- umbellatum
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native wildflower makes a great ground cover.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwestern U.S.A. to New Mexico
- Distribution:
- CA, ID, OR, WA, CO, MT, UT, SY, NV, AR, NM
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterflies, moths, and bees are attracted to the flowers. Its seeds provide a food source for birds and other wildlife.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The clusters of tiny 1/4" yellow flowers may be up to 4" wide and open from red-tinged buds. They will dry to a red/burgundy color that can be used in dried arrangements.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Velvety
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The upper side of the leaf is green, while the underside is white and felted.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems are leafless.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat