Eriogonum grande rubescens

Identification

Gallery

Description

Red Buckwheat originates from the Channel Islands off the coast of California, and has red or pink flowers that bloom from June-October. Give full sun near coast, and part shade inland. Water requirements are low. (It doesn't usually need water after the first summer.) One of the showiest of the smaller perennial buckwheats. Does fine in the interior, a very attractive low sub-shrub. Small plants and young plants not cold hardy below 20 degrees F, container stock froze at 20 degrees F., but plants in ground hardy to 15 degrees F. Deer like to browse (rip from the ground and walk on), and this plant prefers clay soil. A rare plant. The buckwheats are very important butterfly plants and one of the pillars of their plant communities. The flowers, leaves and seeds are all used by many of the smaller mammals, and a good number of birds such as finches, juncos, larks, sparrows, towhees, quail, and grouse. Click here for more about California Buckwheats