This variety is Eriogonum fasciculatum Theodore Payne, California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum). It is a dwarf variety grown like the other 3 types of CA Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum?Theodore Payne?. Known by the common name California buckwheat. This common shrub is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows on scrubby slopes and in chaparral and dry washes in a number of habitats. It is variable in appearance, forming a patchy, compact bramble or a spreading bush approaching two meters in height and three across. The leaves grow in clusters at nodes along the branches and are leathery, woolly on the undersides, and rolled under along the edges. Flowers appear in dense, frilly clusters, which may be anywhere from a few millimeters to 15 centimeters wide. Each flower is pink and white and only a few millimeters across. This plant is particularly attractive to honey bees and is a good source of nectar over many months in drier areas. There are four recognized varieties of California Buckwheat: 1. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. foliolosum or Leafy California Buckwheat, a brighter green variety that grows primarily on the coast and western side of the coastal mountain ranges and is often carried in nurseries, 2. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium, a gray variety which grows primarily in the desert regions and through the coastal foothills, and is sometimes available in nurseries, 3. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum, or Coastal California Buckwheat, which grows most closely to the coast, and 4. Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride, or Sonoran Desert California Buckwheat, grows primarily in the Sonoran Desert and desert mountains. California Buckwheats are tough and easy to grow, even in very dry conditions. Plant in a well-draining sunny site. It shouldn't need supplemental water after being established, but it will tolerate occasional summer water better than most extremely drought-tolerant California natives. Form is variable, ranging from often open and upright in the foothills to often dense and mounding closer to the coast. It produces profuse pink to white and cream-colored flowers as early as March that dry to a pretty red rust color as the soil dries. It sheds its dried flowers and a significant portion of its small blade-like leaves each dry season and is an important plant for creating natural mulch. California Buckwheat is a keystone species for sagebrush scrub ecosystems and a great choice for wildlife and butterfly gardens. Low-growing forms of both Leafy Green Buckwheat and Interior California Buckwheat can be found in nurseries to use as spreading ground covers. Eriogonum fasciculatum 'Theodore Payne' can grow as low as just 1 foot with a spread of up to 8 feet. Plant Description Plant TypePlant Type Perennial herb, Shrub Size 1 foot tall 3 ft wide Flowering Season Summer, Spring, Fall Wildlife Supported Bees, Butterflies Bee gardens, Bird gardens, Butterfly host plants Butterflies moths hosted ( 15 confirmed, 36 likely * ) SHOW ALL. Common uses Bank Stabilization, Bee Gardens, Bird Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, Deer Resistant, Groundcovers Companion Plants Many companions, including Brittlebush (Encelia species), Sagebrush (Artemisia species), Sage (Salvia species), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos species), Ceanothus species, Yucca species, Dudleya species, and cactus species Site Type Dry slopes, often south-facing, are a common component of Coastal Sage Scrub. Inland, it may be found in Valley Grassland. In high desert areas, it occurs in Sagebrush Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland. It sometimes occurs in low desert areas as part of the Creosote Bush Scrub. Climate Annual Precipitation: 2.7" - 50.6", Summer Precipitation: 0.14" - 3.86", Coldest Month: 23.5" - 61.4", Hottest Month: 43.2" - 88.8", Humidity: 0.43" - 42.79", Elevation: 0" - 11630" California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum almost doesn't need soil: give it a pile of rocks in full sun and it will probably be right at home. Once its root system is established, it can live for up to 50 years, requiring only seasonal rainfall. It frequently flowers for months on end in the heat of summer after other flowers have called it quits. It supports a diversity of wildlife, bees, wasps, and other insects are attracted to it and will put on a show, beautiful to watch! What's not to love?! Very drought-tolerant. Excellent dune binder and cliffhanger. This variety has white flowers that turn pinkish as they age. It's about 1 ft X 4 ft. tall when mature. This is the ground cover variety. You'll be receiving fresh organic seeds grown in CA. 150 + The seeds are quite small and will be mixed with the seed "cotton" that surrounds them- plant all together. To plant, sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil in the starter tray, water lightly from the bottom so as not to disturb the seeds. Quick germination within 2 weeks. Transplant when large enough to handle and then set out a few weeks later.) We love our mother plant. It is growing next to our community garden, about 10 blocks from the ocean in San Francisco. It is about 10 years old, and it's covered with blooms currently. It attracts so many varieties of bees, wasps, and other insects. It's a sight to see. Birds and other animals love its cover as well. Give it lots of room and it will thrive. I'm starting some new plants now (8-23) and will transplant those into individual containers shortly, and plan on planting out some new plants soon. PS As you have noticed, the seeds are very, very tiny. Just sprinkle the chaff and dust and what is in the seed packet on top of the soil, and you will see that they germinate within 5 to 7 days! Easy to grow!