Drought tolerant buckwheat perfect for Valley gardens

California is the native home of many wild buckwheat species. They can be seen growing on the offshore islands through coastal areas and all the way to the high Sierra.

Wild buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.) has several plant shapes and sizes from low sprawling ground covers to medium and large shrubs. Some are herbaceous perennials, others are woody perennials, and some are annuals.

Drought tolerant and long blooming from summer through fall; these hardy plants make a valuable addition to our water wise Central Valley gardens. They prefer a well-drained, gravelly soil and full sun, though many tolerate some shade in our hot climate.

Buckwheat flowers are tiny but are showy because they grow in clusters on long stems in white, yellow, pink and red shades, depending on species. Flowers fade to tan and are long lasting, which makes them good in dried flower arrangements. Most buckwheat blooms from summer through fall, giving our gardens color when many other native plants have faded.

Uses of buckwheat vary from groundcover to shrubby borders and stabilization of rocky hillsides. Smaller varieties are attractive in rock gardens.

Buckwheat also makes a great habitat plant for wildlife; bees and butterflies love their nectar and birds eat the seeds. There are over 100 species growing in California. The ones mentioned here are those adapted to Central Valley growing conditions.

Santa Cruz Island buckwheat is a shrub which can vary from 2 to 8 feet tall, spreading to about 4 feet. Its pinkish flowers are borne on long stems in flat clusters above attractive grey-green leaves. This variety needs some irrigation in interior California.

St. Catherine's Lace, also from islands off Southern California, is the giant of buckwheats, growing up to 10 feet high and even broader. Openly branched with gray wooly leaves and flat flower clusters up to a foot wide, this buckwheat can make a statement as a focal plant in the garden.

California buckwheat is native to the foothills and mountain slopes. Growing 1 to 3 feet high and spreading to 4 feet, this variety freely self-seeds and can cover a large area. It bears white to pink flowers in round clusters above narrow green leaves which are wooly white beneath. A strong root system provides good erosion control.

Red buckwheat is perhaps the most colorful variety. Hailing also from California's offshore islands, this shrubby perennial's woody stems tend to sprawl out on the ground with the upright tips reaching about a foot in height. The stems bear round clusters of rosy flowers. Red buckwheat requires some shade in the Central Valley.

Sulfur flower should be familiar to anyone who has visited the mountains. This low-growing buckwheat can color whole mountain sides in the Sierra Nevada. It can vary from low mats to shrubs 3 feet tall. For our gardens, the variety Shasta Sulfur makes a low, dense mound with large bright yellow flower clusters and adapts well to varying conditions. It is somewhat unusual in its bloom time: from early spring into summer.

Wright's Buckwheat, native to eastern and southern California, forms a dense silvery green mound up to 3 feet high but is usually more of a low mat. It sports tiny white or pink flowers in clusters on 6 to 12 inch stems. This tidy plant can find its place in our rock gardens.

While several species of buckwheat make great native specimens in our water wise gardens, they can be difficult to find in nurseries, which may only carry one or two kinds. More varieties can be found in catalogs, are available on the Internet or native plant nurseries. Some types are easily propagated from seed. Their dependability and flowering habit in the garden make the hunt for wild buckwheats well worthwhile.

This column runs every week in Living.

Visalia home show

Save the dates Feb. 6, 7 and 8 for the 22nd annual Springfest Home and Patio show at the Visalia Convention Center.

More than 350 displays will feature the latest in redesigning interiors, patios, floors, landscaping and ways to beat the summer heat. There will be something for everyone including local celebrity chefs showing how to prepare a romantic meal for Valentine's Day.

To purchase a $2 off ticket and for more info, go to www.visaliahomeshow.com.