Saffron buckwheat

Eriogonum crocatum

Description

Saffron buckwheat is a small perennial type buckwheat that grows with striking gray to white foliage and sulphur-yellow flowers. This is a delicate plant, growing 12-18 in. high and produces a very intense display of chartreuse-yellow flowers in early spring.

Saffron buckwheat is a rare and endangered species that naturally occurs on dry slopes in the coastal sage scrub plant community throughout the Conejo Grade, Ventura County. Its small size and striking flower and foliage character have made it a popular plant for native gardens. While not long lived, this buckwheat will be among the most dramatic and eye-catching choices for borders, banks and rock gardens. Plant in well-drained soils, sunny exposures and sustain with low amounts of summer water.

Plant Type: Perennial, Native
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Mounding, Compact
Growth Rate: Short-lived, Moderate
Foliage Color: Silvery white
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun
Function: Attracts butterflies, Rock gardens, Foliage accent plant, Flowering accent plant, California native, Borders, Banks
Height: 12 in. – 18 in.
Width: 18 in. – 24 in.

Watering Schedule: Low 1

For most situations, we recommend watering deeply every 3-4 weeks after establishment.

Learn how to apply this watering schedule to your landscape on our How to water waterwise and California native plants page.

Important Notes

These are general guidelines. Always observe and adjust as necessary for your landscape.
If it rains over 1” you will likely not need to water for at least another 3-4 weeks. Before watering again, check the soil. It should be significantly dry at least 4” below the soil surface before watering.
If you have a “smart timer” or weather sensitive irrigation controller, it is best not to use the automatic weather adjusting features for plants in this category. While very useful for watering higher water demanding plants, those in this category have natural drought adaptations which mean they do not need to be watered more in warm weather. Using the weather adjusting features will result in either overwatering in summer or underwatering in fall and spring.
It is important to group plants with the same water needs together in the landscape to avoid needing to over or under water plants when running your irrigation system.

After flowering, leave spent flowers to dry into red / brown clusters. This is part of the desired look of native buckwheats. The seeds develop into valuable wildlife food and help shade the plant in the summer heat (1). “Deadheading” buckwheats would be tedious and time consuming and would take away much of what there is to love about this plant. Keep things easy and don’t worry about it (S). If desired, remove dried seed heads beginning in mid-September and into the fall (1). Older plants that look like they need refreshing can be cut back hard into older wood in November. Expect new growth to emerge within a few weeks (1) References