Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Stan Shebs

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Eriogonum arborescens

Also Known As

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 2'-5'
W: 2'-5'

planting zones

9a-10b

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Eriogonum arborescens plant details

Eriogonum arborescens is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In fall and summer pink and white flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in clay, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Eriogonum arborescens

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: polygonaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 5 FT - wide, 2 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: compact, container plant, rock garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Eriogonum arborescens

USDA Zones: 9a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: clay, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Lacy evergreen shrub to 5' tall with an elegant mounding habit to 6' wide. Small, narrow gray-green leaves form in whorls at ends of branches. Long-stalked flat clusters of pale to rose-pink flowers bloom from May to September maturing into rust-colored fruits in autumn. Shredding bark falls from the trunk in graceful ribbons. Hardy to 15 °F. Channel Islands.

By: Native Sons

For those of you who don’t have room for Eriogonum giganteum, this tidy and compact gem is a great alternative! With beautiful grey-green foliage & good-sized flower clusters, the flowers are a pinkish white & good in dried flower arrangements. It tops out at about 3’, smaller if grown inland. Native to Santa Cruz Island off the California Coast, it is an excellent source of butterfly nectar & the seeds are eaten by birds. Plant in full sun. Eriogonum is drought tolerant & TOLERATES CLAY & alkaline soils. No Summer water needed once established.