Eriogonum nudum (Naked Buckwheat)

Eriogonum nudum (Naked Buckwheat) is a tough perennial shrub forming a ground-hugging rosette of flat green leaves. From late spring through summer, the plant sends up slender, leafless stems, often dividing into two or more stems towards the top half. They rise up to 5 ft. (150 cm) above the foliage mound. On these bare stems sit rounded clusters of white, pale pink, or yellow flowers. Rich in nectar, the pom-pom blossoms attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Eriogonum nudum (Naked Buckwheat) is a tough perennial shrub forming a ground-hugging rosette of flat green leaves. From late spring through summer, the plant sends up slender, leafless stems, often dividing into two or more stems towards the top half. They rise up to 5 ft. (150 cm) above the foliage mound. On these bare stems sit rounded clusters of white, pale pink, or yellow flowers. Rich in nectar, the pom-pom blossoms attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Naked Buckwheat is also an important host plant to caterpillars. From fall to spring, birds are attracted to any seed that develops. Easy to grow, heat and drought tolerant, Naked Buckwheat is native to the west coast of the United States, where it grows in sandy, clay, or gravel soils on exposed, sunny sites in mixed grasslands, chaparral, and oak and conifer woodlands. Excellent when massed.

  • Grows up to 2-5 ft. tall (60-150 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in well-drained soils. Needs very little supplemental summer water once established (once a month). Drought tolerant.
  • Great for rock gardens, wildlife gardens,coastal gardens.
  • Attracts bees, butterflies and birds but is deer resistant.
  • Generally pest and disease free
  • Propagate by seed in early fall. If directly seeding in the fall, no treatment is required, otherwise cold/moist stratification for 90 days will significantly improve germination. .
  • Native to California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington.

Requirements

Hardiness 6
– 10

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Eriogonum – Buckwheat
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 2'
– 5'
(60cm
– 150cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 24″ (60cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Washington, Southwest, Nevada
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden