Eriogonum arborescens * Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

Eriogonum arborescens grows 4 feet tall and is typically wider than tall. The Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat is quite drought tolerant, and clay tolerant must be given good drainage in garden plantings. Plan for some drying out time between irrigation cycles in heavy soils. Natural rainfall is fine for established plants near the coast, some supplemental water may be required inland. Eriogonum arborescens grows in full sun. Eriogonum arborescens has a long blooming period, starting in late Spring and continuing into the Fall. The flowers quickly fade from white to pink and slowly dry to rust. Eriogonum arborescens is hardy into the single digits. Eriogonum arborescens is a great addition to the butterfly garden where it is a nectar source for the Gray Hairstreak, Hedgerow Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, Acmon Blue, Umber Skipper Butterfly, Northern White Skipper, Common Buckeye, California Common Ringlet, Mormon Metalmark, and the Mournful Duskywing. Eriogonum arborescens is a host plant for the Western Tussock Moth Caterpillar, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak.