September VIP - California Buckwheat

Each month, we highlight a "Very Impressive Plant" turning heads in the SF Bay Area.

California Buckwheat: A Beautiful and Beneficial Addition to Your Garden

California buckwheat, (Eriogonum fasciculatum), is a beloved California native plant that graces California's landscapes with its delicate beauty and ecological significance. At a time when many garden flowers have already faded, California buckwheat adds color to the garden in late summer/early fall. Among its varieties, red buckwehat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. rubescens), stands out with its striking reddish-pink blooms.

California buckwheat - Eriogonum fasciculatum

Visual Appeal and Landscape Use

California buckwheat is a low-growing shrub that forms a dense, mounding habit. Its gray-green leaves provide a subtle backdrop for the vibrant clusters of white or pink flowers that emerge in summer and persist into fall. This stunning color display attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to your garden. This versatile plant thrives in various settings, including:

• Native plant gardens: Buckwheat is a cornerstone of native plant gardens, contributing to biodiversity and ecological balance. Red buckwheat makes a great filler plant or along borders.

• Drought-tolerant landscapes: Its low water needs make it ideal for water-wise gardens and xeriscaping.

• Slopes and erosion control: Its dense root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and hillsides.

Ecological Importance

Buckwheat plays a crucial role in California's ecosystems:

• Pollinator support: Its abundant nectar and pollen are vital food sources for pollinators, especially during the dry summer months.

• Erosion control: Its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion and runoff.

• Wildlife habitat: It provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.

• Fire resistance: Its leaves contain compounds that can help reduce fire intensity.

Blooms on Red Buckwheat

Caring for California Buckwheat

California Buckwheat is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires very little water and is relatively pest and disease resistant.

• Establishment: If you have heavy soil, amend with perlite during planting and water daily until established (tripled in size).

• Watering: Native buckwheat can survive without any supplemental water once established. However, to keep the plant green and get a second round of flowering, water once or twice per week during spring and summer. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

  
  

• Maintenance: remove spent flower stalks for a fresh looking plant and reliable re-bloom. Expect bloom in early spring and again in the late summer.

Incorporating California Buckwheat into Your Landscape

California Buckwheat is a beautiful and beneficial addition to any California landscape. Try pairing with these trusty perennial companions to create a native oasis:

• Sage (Salvia spp.)

• Island Mallow (Malva assurgentiflora)

• Foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus)

• California fuchsia (Epilobium canum)

• Sea lavender (Limonium californicum)

Whether you're creating a native plant garden, a drought-tolerant landscape, or simply seeking to attract pollinators, this versatile plant is a wonderful choice. Its striking appearance, ecological benefits, and ease of care make it a valuable asset for both your garden and the environment.