Eriophyllum confertiflorum

Golden-Yarrow, a perennial, 1-2 ft. high, with bright yellow flowers in early summer, does best with full sun, a little summer water, and good drainage. Eriophyllum confertiflorum is excellent with Penstemons, and cold tolerant to 5 F., or less. This one is 'highly variable' which means if you do not specify the site, you'll get a funny-looking plant. Munz separated out E. confertiflorum var. laxiflorum, a sub-species with narrower stems and leaves. In reality, the northern form of E. confertiflorum is green and 2', the central California form is gray and 1', and the southern California form is 2' ft. and gray. They do not look or behave like more than cousins. Golden-Yarrow is typically native on eastern slope, coastal sage scrub, growing with Salvia leucophylla, Diplacus aurantiacus, Artemisia californica, and Lotus scoparius; scattered throughout the hillside, in sunny openings between taller plants. Good mini-wildlife plant.