Eriogonum umbellatum

Sulphur flower buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum is one of the lowest of the perennial buckwheats, growing only 3 inches tall and 3 ft. wide, with showy yellow flowers and grey foliage; is an excellent small groundcover for higher elevations or colder parts of the U.S. It is ectreemly tolernat of heat as well as cold. Sulphur flower buckwheat thrives in dry, hot exposed spots. This flat perennial ranges west of the Rocky Mountains, likes part shade to sun, and little or no water after established. Sulphur Buckwheat needs good drainage to the point of living in gravel. An excellent low groundcover for small areas that are too poor to support most plant life. It's very drought tolerant but best with a little water after establishment (regular water the first summer). All varieties are tolerant to cold. Most are native to 4000 ft, plus, elevations. Our original planting is 20 years old and still looks good, with good flower shows each year. In pine forest, in open, sunny area between trees, plants occurring nearby are Artemisia tridentata, and Pinus ponderosa. Click here for more about California Buckwheats