Also known as Wild Buckwheat · 301 gardener saves
Eriogonum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Eriogonum, the genus most gardeners know as wild buckwheat. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Eriogonum varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGolden Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum 'aureum'
#2 most savedRed Buckwheat
Eriogonum grande 'rubescens'
#3 most savedElla Nelson's Yellow Buckwheat
Eriogonum nudum 'Ella Nelson's Yellow'
Broadleaf Buckwheat
Eriogonum latifolium
How to grow Eriogonum
What the Eriogonum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Eriogonum year
- PlantSeptember and October75% of varieties
Plant in early spring or fall into well-draining, lean soil
- PruneAugust and September75% of varieties
Lightly shape after flowering to maintain a dense, tidy form
- Spring CleanupFebruary50% of varieties
Remove any dead or damaged foliage before new growth begins
Do
- Water sparingly during dry months 🌱
- Provide full sun exposure for best flowering
- Apply a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring
- Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Water deeply but infrequently to prevent root rot 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Plant in heavy clay soil without amendments ❌
- Expose to excessive shade ❌
- Use high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote foliage over flowers ❌
What goes wrong with Eriogonum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply a fungicide or neem oil |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at the base | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Eriogonum
Cuttings
- Select healthy, non-flowering stems.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Plant in sandy soil and mist daily.
- Roots develop in 6 weeks.
seed
- Tuck seeds into moist, sandy soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2-3 weeks until germination occurs.
Eriogonum questions
How many types of Eriogonum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Eriogonum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 301 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Eriogonum grow in?
Across its varieties, Eriogonum covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Eriogonum bloom?
Most Eriogonum varieties bloom in early summer, late spring to summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Eriogonum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Eriogonum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
