Botanical Name: Eriogonum umbellatum 'Whiskey Peak'
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Common Name: Whiskey Peak Sulfur Buckwheat  
Plant photo of: Eriogonum umbellatum 'Whiskey Peak'
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Shrub, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate, Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Parking Strip, Walkways, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Whiskey Peak Buckwheat grows about 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide, in dense mounds of green leaves backed in white. In June, Erect stems sport flowers of sulfur yellow that fade to red. Use in a rock garden, sunny dry perennial border, or parkstrip. Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
Grow in well drained soil in full sun to light shade, though, if planted in shade take extra care to not over water. Delay removing spent flowers until late winter or early spring as migrating and overwintering birds will appreciate the seeds. Very tolerant of poor, rocky or gravelly soils; it is most important that the soils are well drained. Hardy to -0 degrees. Also listed as E. polyanthum. Flowers dry well and are attractive in arrangements or for crafting (though you would have to decide between the competing interests of the birds and butterflies...) Not technically an evergreen, but the leaves persist well into the fall and winter months.