Plant profile

Wild buckwheats

Genus Eriogonum

Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.

Plant Type

Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Wild buckwheats

Aliases

Wild buckwheat

Native Range

Western North America (varies by species).

Bloom window

Often blooms from late spring through summer (varies by species).

Overview Summary Impact Recognition Location Requirements Glossary Get Involved

OVERVIEW

About This Plant

Wild buckwheats (Genus Eriogonum) are tough, western-native wildflowers that function as reliable, long-season forage anchors in dry and sunny habitats. Their greatest value to local North American pollinators, including many bees and butterflies, lies in their dense clusters of tiny, accessible flowers, providing a steady and easy-to-reach source of nectar and pollen. They are an excellent, low-fuss plant for challenging garden spaces like gravelly areas and dry slopes.

If you are planting Eriogonum, site selection is critical: they require full sun and fast-draining soil. To maximize pollinator support and ensure plant health, avoid over-watering and heavy fertilizers. The best practice is to avoid all insecticides, especially when the plants are blooming, as a well-sited wild buckwheat is resilient and will deliver continuous support to your local insect community.

Best role for pollinators

Sunny, well-drained spots where you want long-lasting blooms and low-fuss pollinator support.

Wild buckwheats (*Eriogonum* (genus)) — https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/18817181 Photo: (c) Di, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | CC-BY-NC | iNaturalist

FAST FACTS

Quick Details

Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.

Category	Details
Also known as	Wild buckwheat
Bloom window	Often blooms from late spring through summer (varies by species).
Typical height	Varies widely by species—from low mounds to taller flowering stems.
Pollinators supported	Bees, Butterflies, Flies, Wasps, Beetles
Light & moisture	Full sun; dry to medium moisture with good drainage.
Best roles for pollinators	Sunny, well-drained spots where you want long-lasting blooms and low-fuss pollinator support.

SUMMARY

If You Remember Three Things

A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.

What they do

Provide long-lasting clusters of small flowers that many pollinators can use.

What they need

Sun and well-drained soil; most types do best with modest watering after they’re established.

One best action

Choose a well-drained, sunny spot and avoid overwatering.

IMPACT

Why Plant This?

Wild buckwheats are practical, low-fuss bloomers that can keep flowers coming in sunny, dry places—supporting a mix of pollinators without demanding rich soil or frequent watering.

Wild buckwheats are a whole genus, so you can often find a type that fits your space—from low mounds to taller, airy bloom stalks.

Key Impacts

What it Supports

Long bloom periods can help keep pollinators fed across the season.
Compact growth makes them easy to fit into small gardens and even large containers (with excellent drainage).
Many species handle heat and dry soil better than typical garden flowers.

RECOGNITION

Identification Guide

Wild buckwheats can look different depending on the species, but these clues are common across many Eriogonum.

Leaves

Often basal or clustered leaves; shape and texture vary by species, sometimes with a gray-green or silvery cast.

Flowers

Tiny flowers packed into clusters; colors range from white/cream to yellow, pink, or rusty tones as they age.

Fruits

Small, dry seeds that form after flowering; spent clusters may persist and add texture.

LOCATION

Where It Grows

Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.

Habitats

Open, sunny slopes
Dry meadows
Rocky or gravelly areas
Sandy or well-drained sites

Where it is often used

Rock garden or gravel garden
Sunny border edging
Dry slope or hard-to-water corner
Pollinator patch planting
Container planting (use a gritty, fast-draining mix)

SEASONALITY

When It Blooms

Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.

Bloom window

Bloom timing depends on the species, but many wild buckwheats flower for a long stretch once they start.

Bloom Season Role: Long-blooming support plant that can bridge gaps between other flowering waves.

Seasonal benefits

Helps fill in when early spring flowers fade
Provides steady forage during hot, dry periods
Seed heads can add texture after flowering

REQUIREMENTS

What It Needs

The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.

Sun exposure

Full sun is best for strong flowering and compact growth.

Soil type

Well-drained soil is key. Many types prefer lean, gritty, or rocky soils over rich, heavy mixes.

Moisture needs

Water to help new plants establish, then reduce. Once established, many species prefer infrequent deep watering rather than frequent light watering.

Planting method

Plant where water won’t pool. If your soil is heavy, consider a raised area, a slope, or a gravelly planting pocket.

Mulching tips

Use a light layer of gravel or coarse mulch if needed, and keep mulch away from the plant’s crown.

GARDENING GUIDE

How to Grow It

Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.

Planting tips

Pick a sunny spot with fast drainage (no standing water after rain).
Loosen the soil and mix in grit or gravel if drainage is slow.
Plant at the same depth as the pot and firm soil gently around the roots.
Water in well, then let the top of the soil dry between waterings as the plant settles in.
Keep the area lightly weeded while the plant establishes.

Seasonal care

Water sparingly once established; too much water can shorten lifespan.
Deadhead for tidiness, or leave spent flower clusters for texture.
Avoid heavy fertilizing; lean soil often works better.
Check that mulch isn’t piled against the base of the plant.

What not to do

Planting in soil that stays wet or compacted.
Watering on a schedule instead of checking the soil.
Using insect sprays during flowering.
Over-fertilizing to “boost blooms.”

Pairings

Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom

Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.

Early Bloom

Native spring wildflowers suited to your region
Early-blooming penstemons (where appropriate)

Mid-Season Bloom

Native sages (*Salvia* spp.)
Blanketflower (*Gaillardia* spp.)

Late-Season Bloom

Goldenrods (*Solidago* spp.)
Asters (*Symphyotrichum* spp.)

Because Eriogonum is a large genus, look for a species or cultivar that matches your conditions (especially winter moisture and soil drainage). When in doubt, choose one recommended for your area and plant it in the sunniest, best-drained spot you have.

GLOSSARY